With a career starting in 1989, he was originally known in Brazil as the creator of Rinha dos MC's, but has gained worldwide attention for his solo work and, in particular, the album Nó Na Orelha (2011).

[1] In 2022, he was nominated again for two Latin Grammy Awards, for "Sobre Viver" (Best Rock or Alternative Album) and "Me Corte Na Boca Do Céu - A Morte Não Pede Perdão" (Best Song in Portuguese).

Since the age of 11, Criolo concentrated on his love for rap, performing in small venues around his neighbourhood for many years before finally releasing his debut album ‘‘Ainda Há Tempo’’ in 2006.

"Nó na Orelha" was released internationally in 2012, thus spreading Criolo's popularity beyond São Paulo and Brazil to other countries, leading to live shows in Adelaide, Amsterdam, Berlin, Cannes, Dijon, Ghent, Glasgow, Leuven, Lisbon, Los Angeles, London, Manchester, New York, Ozark, Paris, Rome, Roskilde, Saint-Florent, Saint-Nazaire, San Isidro, Sete, and Vence.

The album, featuring Tropkillaz, Mayra Andrade, Liniker, Milton Nascimento, MC Hariel and his mother Maria Vilani, also was completed by the release of Criolo magazine number two, a companion online publication made by Oloko Records and produced by The Codex studio.