A Tale of Four Cities

It shows how musicians like Chico Science in the northern city of Recide reacted against the American-influenced rock scene of the Eighties, to create their own new fusion, in which rock and hip-hop were mixed with local traditional styles like maracatu. In Sao Paulo, it examines how Racionais MCs created a new, Brazilian form of hip-hop that made them heroes of the poor, predominantly black suburbs, the favelas. Meanwhile in the smart down-town area, producer Suba created a new style of electronica and achieved international success through his work with Bebel Gilberto. In Rio de Janeiro, there were similar divisions: here, the city’s funk clubs were closed after disturbances, and the music moved to the rough favelas, now often a battle-ground between police and drug gangs. The programme examines how funk and hip-hop have developed in the favelas, and how bands like AfroReggae have tried to bring social change in the most lawless parts of the city. It shows, too, how samba has continued to develop in Rio, developing a new following both through hip-hop fusions and the return to fashion of old-style big band samba. The programme ends in a fourth city, Salvador, where the axe pop style dominates the spectacular carnival, but black musicians complain they are being left out.