Sir Scratch Essentials

In Portugal's 21st-century hip-hop Tuga scene, Sir Scratch stands out as one of its most assertive voices. His rapid-fire delivery easily handles the terrain of that hybrid—mixing the rap form with African, zouk and fado influences—though you'd be forgiven for mistaking “Lotação Esgotada” for a lost ‘90s banger. On the low-key posse cut “De Ke Vos Sirvo Afinal”, Scratch spits complex verbiage with ease, and he rides the towering hi-hats of “Vive!” while still sounding down to earth. He toughens up the strummed track “Não Posso Ficar” while keeping its supple rhythms intact.