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Sujeito Homem 2
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Both with his group Possemente Zulu and in his solo work, Rappin Hood has always had a respected, positive name in the Brazilian hip hop scene. And with his new release, Sujeito Homem 2, the public and critics alike will have to accept that hip hop is no longer a foreign movement: it has become Brazilian too. And that didn’t happen because of any music industry marketing trick, but because hip hop has achieved a natural and necessary penetration into the very core of Brazil’s urban culture.
The ethics and the dignity of this work reside not only in the good lyrics and poetry that appear throughout the 17 tracks, but also in its deep quest for an authentic and distinctively national rap. And, through the point of view of a simple, mature artist who by no means incorporates the egocentric, radical attitude of most rappers these days, and makes a point of incorporating elements of samba (mainly partido alto samba*), MPB and Brazilian soul music into his hip hop, we get a genuine expression of Brazilian culture that also features the poignancy and the commitment at the core of rap. The partnerships on this CD, that go from Gilberto Gil to Arlindo Cruz, from Péricles (Exalta Samba) to Living Color, add a thrilling, not to mention urgent, honesty to the current music scene!
With so many heavyweight partnerships, “Sujeito Homem 2”, becomes a metaphor of what it represents: the valorization of our great historic and artistic heroes, and the common man that lives his life in the violent outskirts of Brazil’s big cities struggling against the corrupt values of society and the unseen daily absurdities that cloak the courage of those who live the battle for basic survival.
I write this as I listen to the record and get touched by its lucidity!!!
Here in Brazil, where another big slaughter has just occurred, the terrified society still believes that culture and education will have the power to demand the changes that are necessary to take us closer to peace! Congratulations, Rappin Hood, congratulations, my friend Junior, congratulations SUJEITO HOMEM FOREVER!!
* Partido alto samba – type of samba with light, short refrains that the singers must follow with improvised verses.
MARCELO YUKA
Track by track by Rappin Hood
1 – Segundo Ato
The lyrics of this samba, recorded in the late 80’s by the group Samba Lá de Casa, are recited over a sample of Retirantes, a tune by Dorival Caymmi and Jorge Amado, the theme song for the world famous soap opera Escrava Isaura. My goal is to show that my people are still enslaved, and summon everybody to react.
2 – Us Guerreiro
This is a letter to my son Martin. He has to live in the real world and the story I tell is not in any school book. I hope many black children understand the message: peace for all!
3 – Disparada Rap
Nothing is more Brazilian than Northeastern migrants heading to the big cities in the Southeast. My respect to these people who build the country, cheap manual labor for heavy duties. Disparada is a legendary standard in the history of Brazilian music, and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share it with Jair Rodrigues.
4 – Us Playboy
This song was written for the TV series Cidade dos Homens. It compares the lives of the rich and the poor, and talks about one of the reasons for urban violence: the poor distribution of income.
5 – Ex-157
I talk to my partner Dexter whenever I can. One day he told me that he couldn’t take life in prison any longer, that he felt he was rehabilitated. God bless him, freedom for Dexter. This song is dedicated to him.
6 – Rap Du Bom Parte II
It all happened by chance, on São Paulo’s 450th anniversary. Caetano Veloso invited me to participate in the show. Besides singing Sou Negão and Tudo no meu nome, we prepared a special number for us to sing together. That’s how Rap Du Bom Parte II was born.
7 – Zé Brasileiro
DJ Marcelinho is an expert at creating rap beats mixed with chorinho*; my partner Zélia Duncan loves chorinho and I adore the songs of Cartola and Candeia, the true Brazilian music. I had a lot of inspiration to give life to one more character, long live Seu Zé Brasileiro.
*instrumental genre that features rapid modulations, melodic leaps and improvisation
8 – Dia de Desfile
If you have ever paraded with a samba school, you know what I’m talking about: in Brazil, February means carnival. I got my inspiration from the samba-enredo* singers, the carnival MC’s.
*theme song performed by a samba school
9 – Quantos Morros
These things happen in night life. Cruising São Paulo to the sound of rap and samba of the band Fundo de Quintal. Thank you Mário Sérgio, we’re together.
10 – A Minha Favela
This beautiful samba, one of many written by Arlindinho, was introduced to me by the Exalta Samba people. It was a pleasure to record it again with a more personal approach. This rendition is dedicated to the hood where I started rapping: Heliópolis. Long live the people in the hood, the fighters.
11 – Muito Longe Daqui
I don’t have to repeat that I’m an Arlindo Cruz fan. It was really cool to be a partner in the creation of this new song by the master. Thank you, Arlindo, rootsy samba and true rap thank you for the collaboration.
12- Se Toca
Dudu Nobre and I have something in common: we’re both true representatives of Brazilian music. He with his samba, and I with my rap. But some disagree with this. A toast to the everyday critics. Long live renovation.
13 – Axé
A dream, a victory, a beautiful day, a smile, all this is axé. Victorious people who came from nowhere, this is faith. Gilberto Gil is an example, from exile to the Secretary of Culture. Gil is the pride of Brazilian blacks, a man of faith. Axé for all.
14 – Rap é o Som da Paz
The song title says it all: rap is the sound of peace. I had just written this when DJ Luciano called me and said that Duda had a rhythm track to show me; I met him and together we made this song, one of my favorites.
15 – Tudo o Que Eu Preciso
It’s always good to sing with my sister, and to sing for God is even better. You, I and everybody need God to achieve peace.
16 – Eu Tenho Um Sonho
Brother Parteum always sends me good rhythm tracks; when my son listened to them he’d start to dance. If Martin Luther King’s words were heard, many things would be different. This tune is dedicated to the children of Brazil.
Trama Rua Ada Negri, 469 São Paulo - SP - Brazil 04755 000