By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Groov will present São Paulo native Rael performing his blend of rap, hip-hop, afrobeat, and Brazilian-flavored reggae live with his band for the first time at Rio’s Circo Voador in Lapa tonight, Saturday, August 10th.
Joining him will be special guests Larissa Luz, the Ambassodors collective, and DJ Saraiva as they celebrate the launch of Rael’s sophomore release titled, Ainda Bem que Segui as Batidas do meu Coração (Good Thing That I Followed the Beats of My Heart).
The album, released by one of the biggest names in Brazilian hip-hop, Emicida, was also partly produced by the North American duo of Beatnick and K Salaam.
“I never had the chance to work with a producer, and they were such talented producers,” said Rael. “They added so much in terms of knowing the best direction to take the music that I had imagined and they showed me other things, other ways of singing that I didn’t know.”
A true blend of various genres, the already well-received album moves from traditional hip-hop to tones of reggae with strong Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian influences throughout. Sometimes singing and other times rapping, Rael delivers a developed sound that still maintains the underlying vibrancy and, at times, grittiness of his city of origin, São Paulo.
“I’ve never the chance to do a show with my band in Rio,” said Rael. “It will be the launch of Ainda Bem que Segui as Batidas do meu Coração, which is very dear to me. The show happened through social networks and people asking for the show. So, I’m sure it will be very special.”
The Groov, the show’s sponsors, are a cultural movement that started in Rio two and a half years ago and promote African culture in Brazil. “In order to entice people to get involved in the world of black music world, The Groov always presents the audience with several artists and themes that have to do with identity and concept of movement, both nationally and internationally,” said a Groov representative.
Tonight’s concert promises a wide range of artistic highlights. Bahia state native, by way of São Salvador, singer Larissa Luz will be the opening act presenting works from soulful, partly Jamaican-inspired, and heavily Bahian-influenced first solo album, MunDança.
The collective, the Ambassodors, will greet those arriving to the event with their world music sounds while DJ Saraiva will play a mix of timeless dance classics to help keep the celebration going.
Who: Rael with Larissa Luz, Ambassodors and DJ Saraiva
When: Saturday, August 10th, Doors at 10PM, shows at 10:30 PM,
Where: Circo Voador – Rua dos Arcos, S/N, Lapa
Tickets: R$40 the day of the show, available here and at the Circo Voador box office.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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