 His nickname, "Sapão" (roughly translated to English as "big frog"), which he had since he was young, came from his portly figure and bulging eyes, which gave him the appearance of a frog.He worked at a tire shop, as a doorman for a daycare and as a delivery boy for a flower shop – and later for a restaurant – prior to his musical career.In 1998 he was arrested by the police due to alleged drug trafficking, being released after eight months due to lack of evidence; while in prison he wrote his first song, "Eu Sei Cantar", which he dedicated to his mother, promising her he would "use his talents for good" after being released.