Translation of the accompanying text:

Inspired by the Afro-Sambas of Vinicius de Moraes and Baden Powell this disc is to rescue the roots of a folk. Letters that address african-Brazilian spirituality, music full of samples and percussive elements. A mixture of scratches and drums, rhythm and poetry, saints and orixás. Asking for God’s blessing, and with the permission of the ancestors, I present with much respect and love: “The Afro-Raps.”

OS AFRO-RAPS

The project “The Afro-rap” is more than a rap album. It is a rescue from the roots of Brazilian music itself.
Rap music (rhythm and poetry) came up with this name in the suburbs of the United States. But far from being an Americanized culture, it finds its roots in the spoken canto of Jamaican reggae; and looking more deeply, we got to the oral tradition of “storytelling” of “griots” in Africa.
We can feel the strong presence of Africa in our rap, despite the constant evolution that comes with the passage of time. In tone and theme of the lyrics, “The Afro-raps” also have a strong connection to samba and the “terreiro” (place for ceremonial gatherings of Afro-Brazilian religions). Thus, there is also a strong “Brazilianness” on this project. Beyond all question musical, “The Afro-raps” also have the mission to break prejudices that in the XXI century, still surround African-Brazilian spirituality. Each song of this project is related to a force of nature, an Orixá. “Dona Janaína” is connected to the sea (Iemanjá), “Quem foi?” is inspired by the strength of thunder (Xangô), “Okê Arô” is related to the woods (Oxóssi); and so continue the other tracks on the record. In the midst of urban poetry and its protest, we find a new way to praise the saints and martyrs showing that youth is still connected with the religious and cultural roots of our ancestors.
The album has a finely tuned team of producers and musicians, as well as the participation of the rapper Emicida, Kene Konaman (lead singer of The Troop), and Mr. Jordan.

MC RALPH

Rapper, journalist, musical researcher, and composer. Audio operator at Radio 107.7 FM, the only educational radio Paraíba Valley. MC’s since 1999 and has released three albums (“Gírias nacionais”, “No fundo do baú”, e “Dá-me licença”).
He is known for his art of Freestyle and is champion of the MC Battle at Hutuz Award (highest rap award in the country). With this he is more frequently present in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Supporter of the Hip Hop in the Paraíba Valley-SP for more than ten years, seeks to preserve this culture, breaking down prejudices and showing innovative work.

Download

And get an acapella here.

Interesting project from NaurÊa mixing Forró, Samba, Afro-Caribean sounds and Tropical Beats.
They will release an EP with internationally renown guests every three months and the cover artwork will later form a big mosaic. The remixers on this one are DJ Dolores and DJ Lucio K.
And the best: they give it all for here!

And check older songs here:

Latest tracks by naurea

Dangdut is a popular music style from Indonesia that originally is partly derived from Malay, Arabic, and Hindustani music. One of it’s modern subgenres is called Dangdut Electro or Dangdut House and is actually more 190bpm-Drum’n'Bass-Pop style. Check it out.

Download their latest album here, for free.

I already posted some Tecno Brega tracks that are mixed with other latin american styles. Here comes a minimixtape with Axé Melody, a fusion of Axé, a very popular style from Salvador da Bahia, and Tecno Brega/Eletro Melody.

Sabor Sonidero Mixtape (Download or listen):

1. DJ Malboy – Vai Começar
2. Marlon Branco – Tremendinha
3. Axé Melody Da Sanfona Do POP 2011
4. DJ Moisés – Vôo Elétrico Do Rubi
5. DJ VAN & DJ LDN – Bar Do Papel
6. DJ Waldo Squash – Curtição Da Night
7. Os Incríveis Do Melody – Balança e Faz o S
8. Triiio Do Remix³ – Falta De Você
9. Claudia Leite – Famosa (DJ Edy Axé Melody Remix)

MC César do Castro is one of the very few MCs from Rio that do not only make Putaria (sexist) and Poibidão (apology to crime) tracks, but as well Funk Consciente (“Conscious Funk”, with socially critical lyrics). Here he raps about a personal experience regarding racial prejudices.
The cool minimal Production is by Cabide DJ.

It seems that Tecno Brega/Electro Melody continues on the list of the genres to keep an eye on. Blogs and magazines regularly post about it, like Man Recordings, The Wire and The Uncool Hunter, for example. João Brasil as well made a nice mixtape with tracks of one of the best Tecno Brega producers, DJ Waldo Squash. There you already listen to what is the new thing in Belém: The producers mix Tecno Brega with other Latin music styles. Check more examples here:

Another news is that Tecno Brega is getting more popular outside of the Amazon region in Brasil. DJ Wald Squash played at the aniversary edition of Dancing Cheetah party in Rio. Banda Uó from Goiânia are not only touring Brazil, but as well have the potential to become what Bonde do Rolé was for Baile Funk: a band from out of the original context that adapts a local sound and brings it to the world. Let’s see what will happen!

To be up-to-date with Tecno Brega, get more tunes here:
http://djwaldosquash3.4shared.com
http://djtaboca-ojovemdj.4shared.com/
http://joeproducoes.4shared.com

Cumbia Sonidera in Mexico City is a kind of what Cumbia Villera is in Buenos Aires: originated from Colombian Cumbia it has been transformed in the marginalized settlements. Its sound is characterized by slow beats, long instrumental parts and voices often deformed by effects giving it sometimes even a dub feeling. In huge venues, the DJs (sonideros) play it in their sets together with other music styles as well as a lot of jingles and shouts greeting the community and announcing other parties etc.

Sabor Sonidero Mixtape (Download or listen):

01. Grupo Maravilla De Robin Revilla – Viva Mexico
02. Grupo La Cumbia – Yambao
03. Robotica
04. Estrellas De La Kumbia – Cumbia Aventura
05. La Cumbia Dance – Real Cumbia Dance
06. La Cumbia Torera
07. Grupo Majezza – La Cumbia De Los Puchikas
08. Princesa Talibana
09. Sonido Santana – Cumbia De Los Efectos Especiales
10. Lo Que Traje De Colombia
11. Los Cholos Tambien Lloran

Here comes a very nice example of Cumbia Rebajada, slowed down Cumbia from Mexico.

The original:

And the rebajada:

Play as list:

or track by track:

Sangre y Joseka – Para Qu Las Chicas Bailen (Download or listen)

DJ Flacko – Mambo Ragge (Download or listen)

DJ Abuelo – Prende El Perreo (Download or listen)

DJ Bekman – No Me Importa Lo Q Diga La Gente (Download or listen)

DJ Parra – Tu Cosita (Download or listen)

DJ Bekman – Toma Perreo (Download or listen)

DJ Abuelo – Hace Mucho Calor (Download or listen)

DJ Kike – Se La Clava (Download or listen)

DJ Checko – Quitate La Ropa $$$ Jaja (Download or listen)

DJ Bekman – Oye Werla (Download or listen)

DJ Bekman – Cochineando Con Calabria (Download or listen)