make it in music, success in music, music career success,
make it in music, success in music, music career success,

Reggae in Brazil | Brazilian Roots Reggae | Moisa Music

Equal rights and justice is a shared struggle of peoples across the globe and this is the case in Brazil where the message in reggae music resonated and popularized reggae in Brazil especially Brazilian roots reggae.

Equal Rights and Justice Cries the Music

Reggae music started out as the vehicle for the oppressed in Jamaica to express their grievances and their struggle for equal rights and the end to injustices. This message is the foundation of Roots Reggae and is a message that resonates with many and is one of the reasons that reggae connected with people across the globe.

 

The adoption of reggae by Rastafarians also gave reggae an additional lifestyle element which connected with many reggae artists who subsequently subscribed to the Rastafarian principles and values. This gave reggae an authentic and holistic approach to the fight against injustice.

This struggle for equal rights and injustice also resonated in Brazil especially amongst black Brazilians as the hardships described in reggae lyrics were similar to life living in crowded favelas where many Black Brazilians lived.

The Roots of Brazilian Reggae

Roots Reggae had also become popular in the UK by the 70s and due to the political situation in Brazil, some Brazilian musicians had been exiled and coincidentally now lived in one of the hotspots of reggae, London.

 

One of these musicians was Gilberto Gil. He became increasingly interested in black culture and reggae. Influenced by this new genre he included reggae in his concerts.

jimmy cliff,gilberto gil, Jimmy Cliff and Gilberto Gil | credits jimmycliff..com

However, it is commonly believed that the collaboration between Gilberto Gil and Jimmy Cliff was the catalyst for the rise in popularity of reggae in Brazil. Especially after they collaborated on and released a cover of "No Woman No Cry" in 1980 which became a number one hit.


Indie Bible / Indie Spotify Bible / International Booking Agents Directory banner

Brazilian Roots Reggae Rising

Reggae remains popular in many parts of Brazil especially in Maranhão and its capital city Sao Luis, known as the 'Brazilian Jamaica'. Reggae music was embraced by the population and became one of the most relevant features of maranhense culture.

Reggae culture was further expanded by bands like Tribo de Jah that embraced the message of Roots Reggae with spiritual lyrics relating to Jah, peace and love. Another was Edson Gomes regarded as one of the biggest reggae artists in Brazil, and who was heavily influenced by reggae legends Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

 

So the reggae flame keeps burning bright in Brazil and is kept alight by a new wave of reggae artists.

Moisa Music

Reggae music in Brazil is in safe hands.

 

The struggles that were the foundation of Roots Reggae still exist across the globe. Causes relating to injustice and the environment are being adopted by many activists and reggae is seen as an authentic vehicle for these causes to be aired. The reggae artists of Brazil are not going to miss the opportunity reggae music offers.

 

One of the new generation of Brazilian reggae artists is Moisa. 

Brazilian reggae, reggae in brazil, Moisa

Moisa is a Brazilian singer and songwriter from Porto Alegre, based in Curitiba. His main musical influence is reggae, from roots to dancehall. But his love of music has a broad musical spectrum that includes Brazilian, Latin, other black music and Rock.

 

He began his career playing percussion in the Filhos da Dona Lili reggae band, formed by school mates. After moving to Curitiba, he started to focus on singing and songwriting and in 2018 released his first single, Vamos à Luta, produced by and featuring Rastalex. In that same year, he released the five track EP album Mama Earth. 

I linked up with Moisa and caught an interview with the artist to find out more about him and his Brazilian musical journey. Here’s how it went (in English and Portuguese).

First of all, thank you Dingazz Music for the opportunity to tell a little about my history and my music

 

Primeiramente, muito obrigado Dingazz Music pela oportunidade de contar um pouco sobre a minha história e a nossa música.

Where are you from? [De onde você é?]

I am from Porto Alegre, but I currently live in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. Both are capital cities, but I have also lived in smaller towns on the Brazilian coast.

 

Eu sou de Porto Alegre, mas atualmente moro em Curitiba, no sul do Brasil. São cidades capitais em seus estados, mas eu também já morei em cidades menores do litoral brasileiro.

How long have you been making music? [Há quanto tempo você faz música?]

I really liked music classes at school, even with the limitations of the public school in my country. I used to participate in the presentations. However, it was only during the years at University, despite not studying a music course, that I have learned more and play instruments. Starting with percussion in a reggae band Filhos da Dona Lili (2008) we recorded an album and some singles. Since then, I have been learning a little bit more every day about music, especially reggae music. Nowadays, I am following a solo career (since 2017), as Moisa.

 

Eu ficava muito atento nas aulas de música da escola, mesmo com as limitações da rede pública aqui, eu costumava participar das apresentações. Porém, foi só durante os anos da Universidade, apesar de não ser o curso de música, que eu pude aprender mais e de fato tocar instrumentos, começando pela percussão. Formamos a banda chamada Filhos da Dona Lili no ano de 2008 e gravamos um álbum. Desde então, eu venho aprendendo um pouco a cada dia sobre música, em especial sobre o reggae. Atualmente eu sigo a minha carreira solo (desde 2017), como Moisa.

Describe your sound [Descreva a sua música]

You can call my music reggae. If you want something more specific, today, I would say New Roots Reggae. First of all, I am an attentive listener, I listen to a lot of reggae from all over the world and I end up incorporating some of that in my music.

 

I compose and sing about the social problems of our country, but I also seek to make music for the world, within a more global and shared vision of the great challenges of humanity. However, without forgetting the fundamental things in our lives, such as love.

 

Podemos chamar a nossa música de reggae. Se você quiser algo mais específico, hoje eu diria new roots. Eu sou antes de tudo um ouvinte atento, escuto muito reggae do mundo todo e acabo incorporando isso na minha música. Eu canto sobre os problemas sociais do nosso país, mas eu também busco fazer música para o mundo, dentro de uma visão mais global e compartilhada dos grandes desafios da humanidade, sem esquecer de falar de coisas fundamentais da vida, como o amor.

How do you think you differ from other artists? [Como você acha que se difere de outros artistas?]

I think we are all unique beings and we have our own journey in life. If I compare myself all the time with other artists, I am bound to find someone who will play or sing better. I do not take it in a competitive way, I try to analyze my own process of evolution in music. But if there is something that I think I do well, it is writing songs.

 

Eu penso que todos somos seres únicos e temos nossa própria caminhada na música. Se eu for ficar me comparando com outros artistas eu corro um grande risco de achar alguém que vai tocar ou cantar melhor, não levo pelo lado da competição, então eu procuro analisar o meu próprio processo de evolução na música. Mas se tem uma coisa que eu acho que faço bem é escrever canções.

What artists do you think influenced you the most and why? [Quais artistas você acha que mais te influenciaram e por quê?]

Brazil reggae,reggae in brazil, Steel Pulse

Jamaican reggae is the root, we Brazilians love Jamaica. British reggae, mainly Steel Pulse, which toured several times in the early 2000s, when I started attending reggae events in Porto Alegre.

 

When I watched The Wailers live for the first time, I was 16 in 2002, I remember being very impressed. I also love the reggae style in the Virgin Islands by Midnite, Dezarie, Bambu Station. They used to come every year to Brazil and the public looked forward to their shows.

 

Nowadays, we have reggae bands focused on that style here. In fact, I have heard good reggae music being made on all continents. However, reggae bands in Brazil ended up playing an important role. Tribo de Jah, Produto Nacional, Pure Feeling and many more. These artists from the local scene influenced me too because they have quality and they are closer to me.

O reggae jamaicano é a raiz, nós brasileiros amamos a Jamaica. O reggae britânico, principalmente Steel Pulse, que fez várias turnês no começo dos anos 2000, quando eu comecei a frequentar eventos de reggae em Porto Alegre.

 

Quando eu assisti The Wailers pela primeira vez eu tinha 16 anos, foi em 2002, foi muito impactante na minha memória. Eu também gosto muito do reggae feito nas Ilhas Virgens, Midnite, Dezarie, Bambu Station, fizeram muitas turnês ao Brasil e o público assimilou.

 

Hoje nós temos bandas totalmente voltadas a esse estilo por aqui. Na verdade, hoje eu escuto reggae de qualidade sendo feito em todos os continentes. Porém, as bandas de reggae no Brasil acabaram exercendo uma função importante. Bandas como Tribo de Jah, Produto Nacional, Pure Feeling e muitas outras mais. Esses artistas da cena local me influenciaram a fazer reggae também, porque têm qualidade e por estarem mais próximos.

Who inspires you (from any walk of life)? [Quem te inspira (em qualquer caminhada de vida)?]

Recently my grandfather Arlindo Schmitz passed away. He was my father's reference. I will always remember him because he was the person who taught me to fight for what we believe and that we have our own values. He was a person who loves music, he really influenced me.

 

Recentemente o meu avô Arlindo Schmitz partiu desse plano. Ele foi minha referência paterna, eu sempre irei lembrá-lo pois ele foi uma pessoa que me ensinou a lutar pelo que acreditamos e de que nós temos o nosso próprio valor. Era uma pessoa que gostava de música, também me influenciou.

Dead or alive who would be your dream collaboration? [Morto ou vivo, quem seria a colaboração dos seus sonhos?]

reggae in brazil, brazil reggae Clinton Fearon | credit: clintonfearon.com

 

I like Clinton Fearon, he is a great master, for me it would be an honor. Who knows, maybe one day, but I will be happy going to his show after the pandemic. I hope to have this chance again.

 

Eu gosto da história do Clinton Fearon, é um grande mestre, pra mim seria uma honra. Quem sabe um dia, mas eu me contento indo a um show dele após a pandemia. Espero ter essa chance novamente.

What’s your favourite song at the moment and why? [Qual a sua música favorita no momento?]

I have a song that many people say is a big tune, it is called Get a Solution. We are going to record a video soon.

 

From other artists, I like a lot of songs, but there is one song that I've heard hundreds of times in the past few years, Skanking Sweet by Chronixx. This is a great song!

 

Tenho uma música que se destacou, é a mais tocada Get a Solution, que eu pretendo gravar um vídeo clipe em breve. De outros artistas eu gosto de várias músicas, mas uma música que eu escutei centenas de vezes nos últimos anos foi Skanking Sweet do Chronixx, uma grande canção.

What is your favourite saying or quote? [Qual é a sua frase ou frase favorita?]

Get up stand up, don’t give up the fight!

 

Bob Marley comes to my mind at this time. When we need to be strong and we must face up to unprecedented crises and we have a very fierce political dispute for power, taking place in the world. I want to be with those who believe in humanity with a greater sense of justice and equal opportunity for all.

Levante-se e lute, levante-se pelos seus direitos!

Levante-se e lute, não desista da luta!

 

Bob Marley me vem a mente neste momento em que precisamos ser fortes, enfrentamos crises sem precedentes e temos uma disputa política muito acirrada pelo poder, acontecendo no mundo. Eu quero estar ao lado daqueles que acreditam numa humanidade com mais senso de justiça e com maior igualdade de oportunidades para todos.

Tell us something about yourself that the readers may be surprised to know. [Conte-nos algo sobre você que os leitores possam se surpreender em saber.]

reggae in Brazil,brazil reggae, Moisa

I am also a marine biologist, PhD in Ecology and Conservation. I take the academic career in parallel. It is something that a lot of people who follow my music don't know because I don't usually talk about it. I think it could confuse the audience.

 

Here in Brazil, we are still forced to choose between one career or another. We can choose, but it is also possible to make music and do science or other fields of knowledge. I think this is healthy because my reflections and experiences are reflected in my songs.

 

If you notice the EP Mama Earth it is possible to make this connection. On the other hand, the rigidity of science ends up dissolving in the creative field of music.

Eu também sou biólogo marinho e tenho um doutorado em Ecologia e Conservação, levo a carreira acadêmica em paralelo. É algo que muita gente que segue a minha música não sabe, pois eu não costumo falar, acho que isso poderia confundir o público.

 

Aqui no Brasil ainda somos forçados a escolher entre uma carreira ou outra. Podemos escolher, mas também é possível fazer música e se interessar por ciências ou outros campos do conhecimento, eu acho isso saudável, pois as minhas reflexões e experiências como biólogo acabam refletindo as minhas canções. Se você reparar no EP Mama Earth é possível fazer essa conexão. E por outro lado, a rigidez da ciência acaba se dissolvendo no campo criativo da música.

Tell us about your current or next project [Conte-nos sobre seu projeto atual ou próximo.]

We will have news soon, a new single with Zion Production by bassist and producer Tugga from São Paulo. The song is called Equal Rights and Justice. Follow us on our social networks and on YouTube @moisamusic.

 

For 2021 we will have a new album, with the same production team as the Mama Earth, directed by drummer Vinicius Vidal and in collaboration with guitarist and producer Guga Munhoz from Porto Alegre.

 

Em breve teremos novidades, vamos lançar um single em parceria com a Zion Production, do baixista e produtor Tugga de São Paulo. A música se chama Equal Rights and Justice. Acompanhe pelas nossas redes sociais e no YouTube @moisamusic.

 

Para o ano de 2021, muito provavelmente no primeiro semestre, teremos o lançamento de um novo álbum que estamos preparando, com novas canções. Com a mesma produção do EP Mama Earth, com a direção do baterista Vinicius Vidal e colaboração do guitarrista e produtor Guga Munhoz que tem o seu estúdio em Porto Alegre.

Where can we check out your sounds? [Onde  nós podemos escutar Moisa?]

 

You will find Moisa on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube and all streaming platforms. Our EP Mama Earth is available to download, save and play on repeat, you're welcome!

 

Vocês irão encontrar Moisa no Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube e todas as plataformas de streaming. Nosso EP Mama Earth está disponível para baixar, salvar e tocar à vontade. Sejam bem-vindos!

Thank you very much Dingazz for the opportunity to tell a little about my story. I really like your music. I hope that one day we have the chance to collaborate on a song! Blessings

 

Muito obrigado Dingazz pela oportunidade de contar um pouco da minha história. Me identifico bastante com a sua música, quem sabe um dia não acontece uma parceria?

Thank you too, Moisa. A musical collaboration is definitely a project for the future. 

Obrigada também, Moisa. Uma colaboração musical é definitivamente um projeto para o futuro.

Bless

Get Birthday cards, T-shirts and other gifts on my store


Indie Bible / Indie Spotify Bible / International Booking Agents Directory banner

Get tips and tools to rank your YouTube channel

website builder, web hosting, This website is built using IONOS
Print | Sitemap
© Copyright Dingle Heywood All Rights Reserved