Ferréz

He emphasises that his writings are addressed to the youth that live in the slums, so that they feel a sense of pride in reading literature that reflects their reality and experiences.

• Name — Ferréz • Birth Name — Reginaldo Ferreira da Silva • Born — 1975 • Birthplace — São Paulo, Brazil • Occupation — Novelist, Poet, Short story writer, rap musician • Movement — Dirty realism, Marginal literature

Ferréz, whose real name is Reginaldo Ferreira da Silva, was born in the Favela of Valo Velho on the southern outskirts of São Paulo in 1975. He was nicknamed after two Brazilian folk heroes: the widely known Lampião (actually Virgulino Ferreira) from the northeast part of Brazil and Zumbi, the legendary slave leader. Ferréz started making attempts to write poems and raps at the age of seven. Despite lacking any formal education, he unsuccessfully tried to become familiar with works of literature of several Brazilian writers such as Carlos Drummond de Andrade. After leaving school, he worked as a broom-seller, temporary worker in many different positions and archivist. He has since considered a literary representative of the Brazilian slums.

Ferréz's writing style reflects the oral culture of the urban periphery and of hip hop culture from São Paulo. Slangs are extremely prevalent in his books as well as inaccurate language use, even the spelling he uses reflects the colloquial speaking patterns of individuals from the favelas.

Ferrez was involved in a polemic discussion with Luciano Huck, a TV presenter. Luciano was mugged while he was in a traffic jam and wrote an article complaining about public security in Brazil. By contrast, Ferrez tried to support the behaviour of the criminal, stating that "how come someone could wear something as valuable as a couple of houses in the slums". On account of this article, Ferrez was charged and found guilty of crime apology. The debate between the two went on in the media, up to a point which Luciano said to some close friends: "typical behaviour of those who envy others and who does not have the courage and skills to succeed in life".

Fortress of Disillusionment - 1997 His first book, Fortaleza da Desilusão is a collection of concrete poems and was published with the financial support of his then-employer.

His first novel, the story revolves around the young man Rael who lives in the favela of Capão Redondo attempting to overcome the social stigma of living in the urban periphery.

The Practical Manual of Hate – 2003 Ferréz's second novel, the story revolves around a group of criminals or bandits who live in São Paulo. The complexity in the novel is the overlapping and intersecting of each individual criminal's history to the present moment where the reader finds the group involved in activities ranging from robbery, hanging out at the club to intimate relationship with others.

Ferréz's first children's book, this literary work demonstrates the author's first project into children's literature and education. The story focuses on a little girl named Amanhecer who also lives in the favela. This book's intended audience are children from the urban periphery who are predominantly Afro-Brazilian which is clear since many references to African culture and pride are prevalent throughout the entire book.

No one is innocent in São Paulo – 2006 This book is a collection of short stories and prose written by Ferréz.

Ferréz is recorded with the occupation record producer. Recorded with the occupation fanzine editor. Recorded with the occupation disc jockey. Recorded with the occupation novelist. Recorded with the occupation writer. Recorded with the occupation poet. Recorded as disc jockey, record producer, writer, poet and novelist.