Formed in 1995 in Rio de Janeiro by guitarist Jorge Mário da Silva (Seu Jorge, who was living on the streets since four years earlier, was raised in the poor and violent neighborhoods of the Baixada Fluminense and had two brothers killed), French flutist Bertrand Doussain, and Gabriel Moura, Farofa Carioca evidenced the disposition of mixing several national (samba, axé music, choro, xote) and transnational genres (hip-hop, reggae) already in their name (farofa is a dish made of a mixture of multiple ingredients). The band soon became an octet and started to share live performances with bands like Planet Hemp, Rappa, and Squaws. Even before their first album they had hits like "Doidinha Para Ter Neném,'' "São Gonça'' and "A Carne,'' written with Rappa's Marcelo Yucca.

After three years of doing shows in Rio, Farofa Carioca recorded their first album, Moro no Brasil, in 1998. It was the beginning of their appearances at visible events like their show in São Paulo (shared with Fernanda Abreu), the Free Jazz Festival (Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo), and the Mundão (São Paulo). Always dealing with the serious social problems of Brazilian megalopolises, like police violence and drug trafficking, the group enjoyed immediate identification with the masses. Moro no Brasil was also the name of the documentary about Brazilian popular music by Mika Kaurismaki, narrated by Gabriel Moura, and with the participation of Naná Vasconcelos, Hermeto Pascoal, and Carlinhos Brown, among others. The documentary had on its soundtrack two songs by the group, "Brasis" and "Rap do Negão." Also from 1999 came the participation of the band at the Abril Pro Rock Festival and in the Multishow TV tribute to Tim Maia with Jorge Ben Jor, Ed Motta, and other artists.

In 1999, Seu Jorge left the group and started his solo career. Farofa Carioca continued their activities with Gabriel Moura on vocals, opening the 2000 show Ói Nóis Aqui Outra Vez. ~ Alvaro Neder