# Curumin

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**Luciano Nakata Albuquerque** (born 28 July 1976), known professionally as **Curumin**, is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Emerging from São Paulo’s independent music scene in the mid-2000s, he became known for blending samba, funk, jazz, hip hop and electronic music within the framework of [Música Popular Brasileira](/source/M%C3%BAsica_popular_brasileira) (MPB). His work has received international press coverage and distribution in the United States, Europe and Japan.

## Early life and background

Curumin was born in São Paulo, Brazil, to a family of Japanese and Spanish descent. His stage name derives from the Tupi-Guarani word *curumim*, meaning “boy.” He began performing as a drummer and percussionist in his youth and later worked as a backing musician for Brazilian artists including [Arnaldo Antunes](/source/Arnaldo_Antunes), [Céu](/source/C%C3%A9u_(singer)), [Vanessa da Mata](/source/Vanessa_da_Mata) and [Criolo](/source/Criolo).[1]

## Career

### Breakthrough and international recognition

Curumin released his debut album *Achados e Perdidos* in 2005 through the São Paulo label YB Music. The album was subsequently licensed to the U.S. independent label Quannum Projects, marking his introduction to North American and European audiences.[2]

His second album, *JapanPopShow* (2008), was released internationally and received coverage in American media. Writing in *The New York Times*, [Jon Pareles](/source/Jon_Pareles) described Curumin as “one of the most astute young musicians in São Paulo,” noting his ability to merge Brazilian rhythms with American funk traditions.[3]

*JapanPopShow* was also reviewed by *Billboard*, which highlighted the album’s “kaleidoscopic blend of samba, funk and hip-hop.”[4]

### Arrocha and Boca

Curumin’s 2012 album *Arrocha* expanded his use of electronic textures and socially engaged lyrics. In 2017 he released *Boca*, which was nominated for the [Latin Grammy Award for Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album](/source/Latin_Grammy_Award_for_Best_Portuguese_Language_Rock_or_Alternative_Album).[5]

Coverage in Brazilian and international outlets cited the album’s political themes and dense rhythmic arrangements.[6]

### Pedra de Selva

In 2024, Curumin released *Pedra de Selva*. The album was included among the Associação Paulista de Críticos de Arte (APCA) selections for best Brazilian albums of the year.[7]

## International touring

Curumin has toured extensively in North America, Europe and Japan. He has appeared at events including Central Park SummerStage in New York,[8] the Chicago World Music Festival,[9] and CMJ Music Marathon in New York.

He has also toured internationally with Céu, performing at venues such as Joe’s Pub in New York and festivals in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.[10]

## Sync licensing and compilations

Curumin contributed a remix of “Ela” (Ticklah Remix) to the 2011 charitable compilation *Red Hot + Rio 2*, released by the [Red Hot Organization](/source/Red_Hot_Organization) to benefit HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives.[11]

His recordings have also received international radio airplay and placement in curated compilations outside Brazil.[12]

## Musical style

Critics have noted Curumin’s synthesis of samba percussion, American funk basslines, psychedelic rock textures and electronic production. *AllMusic* describes his sound as combining “classic Brazilian songwriting with gritty, groove-oriented experimentation.”[13]

## Discography

### Studio albums

- *Achados e Perdidos* (2005)
- *JapanPopShow* (2008)
- *Arrocha* (2012)
- *Boca* (2017)
- *Pedra de Selva* (2024)

## Awards and nominations

- Latin Grammy Award nomination, Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album – *Boca* (2017)

## References

1. ["Curumin"](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curumin). *Wikipedia (Portuguese)*. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Curumin – Biography"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/curumin-mn0000871316). *AllMusic*. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. Pareles, Jon (22 July 2009). ["Review of Céu at Celebrate Brooklyn!"](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/arts/music/23ceu.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Curumin, JapanPopShow"](https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/). *Billboard*. 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards Nominees"](https://www.latingrammy.com/en/nominees). Latin Recording Academy. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Curumin lança Boca"](https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ilustrada/). *Folha de S.Paulo*. 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Premiados APCA 2024"](https://apca.org.br/premiados-2024). Associação Paulista de Críticos de Arte. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["SummerStage Archive"](https://cityparksfoundation.org/events/). City Parks Foundation. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Festival Archive"](https://www.chicagoworldmusicfestival.us/archive). Chicago World Music Festival. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Céu and Curumin Tour Review"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/). *The Guardian*. 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Red Hot + Rio 2"](https://redhot.org/project/red-hot-rio-2/). Red Hot Organization. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["BBC Radio Music Archive"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/). BBC. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Curumin – Biography"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/curumin-mn0000871316). *AllMusic*. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Curumin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curumin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curumin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.