Seu Jorge grew up in the favelas (slums) out side of Rio de Janeiro. After devoting years to music and theater, Jorge landed the part of Knock out Ned in "City of God," the frightening depiction of violent favela life. He followed that up with the Bill Murray comedy, "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou."

His new album, "Cru" (which translates as "Raw") is in a Brazilian idiom spiced with a bit of hip-hop. He recalls his roots in "Eu sou Favela" ("I am the Favela). "Mania de Peitao" is his diatribe against silicone trans plants, apparently a hot issue in Brazil.

Covers include Serge Gainsbourg’s "Chatterton" (a litany of celebrity suicides and early deaths) and Elvis Presley's "Don't." Of the latter, Jorge says. "He took from black music in the first place, and I was taking it back, imagining myself in cowboy boots."

On September 1 and 12, Jorge will perform at Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey Street; 212- II).