Latest news with #funk
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Brazil: outcry after funk singer arrested for allegedly inciting crime in lyrics
The arrest of a well-known Brazilian funk singer on charges of allegedly inciting crime in his lyrics and an alleged connection to a major criminal gang has sparked outrage among artists, intellectuals and legal experts. MC Poze do Rodo, 26, who has 5.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify, was arrested early on Thursday at his home in a luxury condominium in Rio de Janeiro's west zone. Outcry has focused on the way the artist was detained over alleged non-violent offences: handcuffed, shirtless and barefoot. Footage of the arrest was broadcast repeatedly on television and splashed across the front pages of Brazilian newspapers. 'This is persecution [against me],' the funk singer told journalists as he was transferred from the police station to jail. 'There is no evidence.' Activists say the case is the latest example of the criminalisation of funk music – and, by extension, of Black culture; something researchers argue has been a systemic feature of Brazilian society since the abolition of slavery in 1888. Like most Brazilian funk artists, MC Poze – born Marlon Brendon Coelho Couto da Silva – is Black and raised in a favela. He rose to prominence in 2019 and has since succeeded with songs depicting daily life in those communities, including some tracks that openly reference drug trafficking. In an interview with TV Globo last year, he admitted that as a teenager, he had worked for the drug trade: 'I've been in shootouts, I was shot, and I was arrested too.' But he insisted he had left that life behind and that his goal was to send young people the message that 'crime doesn't lead anywhere'. Last Thursday, police justified his arrest by claiming he was 'clearly glorifying drug trafficking and the illegal use of firearms' in his lyrics, and that his concerts were being financed by one of Brazil's two main criminal gangs, the Comando Vermelho (Red Command). The police chief, Felipe Curi, even claimed that MC Poze's lyrics were 'often far more damaging than a rifle shot fired by a drug trafficker'. According to Pierpaolo Cruz Bottini, professor of criminal law at the University of São Paulo, there is no incitement to crime in MC Poze's songs. 'There is no intent to promote or defend criminal acts – rather, the songs paint a vivid picture of a reality everyone is already aware of.' Bottini said that the way the singer was detained – without being allowed to get dressed or even put on shoes – was 'completely inappropriate'. 'Even in cases of violent crimes, such treatment would only be justified if there were signs of resistance or a risk of flight – and that clearly wasn't the case,' he said. After the arrest, other funk artists took to social media to protest in solidarity. Another high-profile singer, MC Cabelinho, pointed out that when an actor in soap opera or a film portrays a character involved in drug trafficking, it is not seen as inciting crime. According to anthropologist Mylene Mizrahi, a professor at Rio's PUC university, funk artists are still not considered legitimate artists. 'They are pop artists, just like US rappers or Hollywood film-makers. But when someone like Martin Scorsese makes a mafia film, they're not branded mobsters,' she said. The lawyer Joel Luiz Costa, executive director of the Black Population Defence Institute, said: 'The criminalisation of funk is part of a long historical process that began after the abolition of slavery and previously targeted samba, capoeira and afro-Brazilian religions. 'There's a clear pattern of criminalising Black culture,' he added. 'Since they can't just outlaw being Black, they target something associated with the Black community.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brazilian superstar sang about shocking crimes and gangsta lifestyle... so police turned up at his door to ARREST him
A Brazilian megastar who sang about a gangster lifestyle and praised one of the country's most powerful criminal organizations has been arrested for his alleged links to the very same gang, 'Comando Vermelho'. MC Poze do Rozo, whose Instagram is filled photos of his lavish life and famous friends like Brazilian football hero Neymar, is being investigated for his role in allegedly inciting violence and drug trafficking, according to the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police. Narcotic agents served a temporary arrest warrant at the 26-year-old funk artist's luxury condominium in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a neighborhood located in the west side of Rio de Janeiro. Mc Poze do Rozo, whose real name is Marlon Silva, has previously admitted to selling drugs from 2015 to 2016 but argued that he was being unfairly being targeted. 'This is persecution, you idiot,' he said as he was being transported to jail. 'You cheeky guy, this is persecution. It's evidence, but there's no proof of anything. Tell them to prove it'. The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police began investigating Mc Poze do Rozo on May 15 following the filming of his show in the notorious Cidade de Deus slum, where several alleged members of the Comando Vermelho were seen holding rifles. Mc Poze do Rozo, who has 5.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify and one song that with 126 million streams, sang several tracks that glorified the Comando Velhelmo at the show. 'The Civil Police reinforces that the lyrics go beyond the constitutional limits of freedom of expression and artistic expression, constituting serious crimes of apology for crime and association with drug trafficking,' the police said. 'Investigations continue to identify others involved and the direct financiers of the criminal events.' At least five songs reviewed by Brazilian news outlet Correio 24 Horas contained lyrics that paid homage to the Comando Vermelho and glorified criminal doings. In the song 'Na CDD Só Tem Bandido Faixa Preta,' Mc Poze do Rozo claims that it's time for the Comando Vermelho to regain possession of turf that was taken over by rival criminal groups. 'We have Glock, we have AK, 62 with laser sight, Terror of the Germans , it's the kids from 13,' he raps. 'We're going to go back home and put the bullet to eat. Retake what's ours and shout: It's the CV!' In 'Tropa do General,' the funk star mentions the Comando Vermelho's beef with rival gangs while alluding to the use of weapons. 'Respect the CV that only has angry bandits, only war minors that kick ass,' he rhymes. 'We are the terror of the Third, ADA and the snot.' The investigation into Mc Poze do Rozo also alleges he performed only in areas where the Comando Vermelho has a stronghold with the presence of the criminal network's heavily armed henchmen, who ensure security for the artist and the show. Authorities claim that because of the concerts, the notorious criminal organization has been able 'to increase their profits from the sale of narcotics, using the resources to purchase more drugs, firearms and other equipment necessary to commit crimes.' However, Mc Poze do Rozo's representatives released a statement rejecting the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police's criminal allegations. 'Today, Poze was surprised with a temporary arrest warrant and a search and seizure at his home,' the statement said. 'The accusation of association with trafficking and apology for crime makes little sense. Poze is an artist who succeeded in life through his music. 'Many musicians, actors, and directors have artistic pieces that depict situations that would be crimes, but they are never prosecuted because they are clearly works of fiction. 'Poze's arrest, or that of any MC in this context, is nothing more than the criminalization of peripheral art, persecution, and yet another episode of racism and institutional prejudice, in the most absurd way, that Poze was led to, and this is the greatest proof of that.' Poze drew the attention of the police in November 2023 when he and his wife were probed for promoting illegal raffles on social media. Authorities seized his luxury fleet of vehicles and other personal belongings, including jewelry, but a court judge ruled in April that his assets had to be returned because they were not linked to the criminal investigation. Poze responded to the judge's decision with a social media post in which he wrote: 'I just want what is mine, and what God generously gives me.'
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
War Offers L.A. And Japan Travel Ideas While Releasing New Album
Lonnie Jordan of War performs at the Greek Theatre in 2018 in his hometown of Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) Getty Images The funk band War has been synonymous with Los Angeles for many decades and just released a new double album Live in Japan 1974. War established an L.A. sound that scored many hits by incorporating rock, jazz, soul, blues, reggae and Latin music into their funky stew. Travelers heading to La-la-land or Japan may benefit from the recommendations of original War member Lonnie Jordan and the band's longtime producer Jerry Goldstein. Jordan, who has been the band's singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist and percussionist, loves to hike in Los Angeles on trails at 4,210-acre Griffith Park. One of the nation's largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas, it overlooks the Hollywood Hills and has 53 miles of trails, fire roads and bridle paths, according to the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Visitors looking for live music should consider Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill, The Baked Potato and the Catalina Jazz Club, Jordan says. All three are jazz clubs serving dinner, and remember to bring a full wallet. Most entrees at the Vibrato Grill cost more than $55, and the charge for the nightly music is $20-$75 per person. At the Catalina Jazz Club, recents acts have included renowned actress and singer Cybill Shepherd backed by a jazz ensemble. Jordan, a vegan, recommends his favorite restaurants, Planta and Un Solo Sol. Planta, located in the suburban Brentwood section of Los Angeles, offers numerous vegetarian options and sushi. The menu lists such items as udon noodles, vodka pizza (tomato cream, cashew mozzarella, basil pesto and chili bomba) and al pastor taco bowl (chipotle rice, pinto beans, grilled pineapple, pickled jalapeno, potato chorizo, avocado, pico de gallo and green goddess dressing). At Un Solo Sol, the menu includes such main courses as ghormeh sabzi, a Persian stew with portobello mushrooms or organic tofu and parsley, green onions, cilantro, spinach, fenugreek greens, kidney beans and dried lemon. Comedian Tommy Chong, War's Lonnie Jordan and comedian Cheech Marin attend a 2014 KCET Pledge Drive in Burbank, California. (Photo by Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic) FilmMagic Goldstein, who produced every War album, also recommends Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill and Spago, the South Beverly Grill and Madeo. Spago in Beverly Hills is the flagship restaurant of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, and Madeo in West Hollywood offers northern Italian fare. It's about an 11 1/2-hour flight from Los Angeles International Airport to another of War's favorite cities, Tokyo. Goldstein and Jordan have fond memories of their concerts in Japan in 1974 and subsequent visits. Goldstein loved Mount Fuji and Kyoto and found a ride on a bullet train 'interesting.' Mount Fuji—Japan's tallest mountain at 12,388 feet—can be reached by car from Tokyo in about 2 1/2 hours. Every summer, 200,000-300,000 people climb the mountain, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Goldstein traveled four or five times annually to Japan for several years, and Jordan says he went back to the country many times after War's first visit in 1974. Wakatake, a Tokyo tempura restaurant specializing in seafood, is Jordan's favorite eatery in Japan. Located in the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa near the Shinagawa train station, the restaurant says its food is 'a feast for all the senses' with 'the finest seasonal ingredients prepared before your eyes.' Tiger prawn 'is a perennial favorite,' the restaurant says, 'whilst conger eel and sillago (northern whiting) are also here to experience the genuine tempura cuisine.' Jordan recommends walking around Tokyo to experience its unique architecture and enjoying music at the Blue Note and the Cotton Club. The Cotton Club, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, says it presents 'adult-focused jazz performances played in an elegant, luxuriously appointed venue, topped off by a delicious menu of authentic cuisine.' War played two nights earlier this year at the Blue Note after releasing the Live in Japan 1974 double album. The album was culled from life shows in Tokyo, Shizuoka, Osaka and Kobe. 'I love all of Japan—the culture, sites and, most importantly, the people,' Jordan says. 'It is such a spiritual and loving place. Japan is that place you will never forget.'
