Rapha Drums

I’m Rafael Barbosa, a Brazilian professional drummer, musician and educator based in London, UK. I started playing drums at the age of six in Brazil, and music has been a major part of my life ever since. After more than 20 years of playing and over 10 years of teaching, I have developed a versatile approach to drumming that allows me to work comfortably across different genres, artists and live environments. I graduated in Music Performance from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London, where I developed my performance, musicianship and professional skills. Since then, I have continued working with independent artists, function bands, tribute productions, touring projects and live events across the UK and Europe. My musical background covers Pop, Rock, Funk, Soul, R&B, Disco, Samba, Bossa Nova, Reggaeton and Brazilian music. I particularly enjoy live performance because of the connection between musicians and the audience. For me, being a drummer is not simply about playing technically well; it is about understanding the song, supporting the artist, listening to the band and helping create a memorable performance. One of my recent highlights has been joining a professional Coldplay tribute project, performing as part of a production preparing shows across the UK and Europe. This type of work has strengthened my experience with professional charts, click tracks, backing tracks, in-ear monitoring and production requirements, while also teaching me the importance of preparation, consistency and communication. I have also worked on a variety of live and artist projects, including function bands, showcases, Brazilian music projects and tribute performances. I’m comfortable adapting quickly to different musical situations and working with professional production teams, artists and other musicians. Coming from Goiânia, Brazil, and building my career in London has been an important part of my journey. London has allowed me to work alongside musicians from many different backgrounds and exposed me to a wide range of musical styles and professional environments. I also provide my own professional equipment, including a full drum kit, cymbals, snare, hardware, cases and IEM monitoring setup, allowing me to arrive prepared and ready for professional performances. I’m reliable, organised and easy to work with, and I take preparation seriously. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, function, tribute show, artist performance, recording session or touring production, my goal is always to serve the music, support the team and deliver a confident, professional performance that the audience can enjoy.