The Forróçacana appeared in May 1997, in Rio de Janeiro, within the local scene known as "university forró," as were called the groups from the '90s formed by middle-class members of the Southeastern states, in opposition to the rootsy forró groups of the Northeast composed of members of the working class. Melting the traditional forró pé-de-serra with diverse elements (choro, samba, rock, salsa, reggae, etc.), the group got started in the traditional format, doing five-hour balls with a repertory based in Jackson do Pandeiro's tunes and other classics of the genre. The originals came later, urged by the desire of establishing an individual identity: "Forró Horizontal," "O Cabra," "Caraíva," "Telepatia no Salão," etc. Forming a considerable audience, they soon were opening for Jorge Benjor, Cássia Eller, Zeca Baleiro, Lenine, Alceu Valença, Dominguinhos, Xangai, Pedro Luís e a Parede, Seu Jorge, Alceu Valença, Elba Ramalho, Gilberto Gil, and other top artists. Their first individual CD, Vamo Que Vamo, had a hit with Jorge Benjor's "Menina Mulher da Pele Preta." Zeca Baleiro wrote especially for the group "Forró do Malagueta." ~ Alvaro Neder