Brazil’s Anti-World Cup Graffiti and an Anthem by Stromae

While browsing through my blogroll today, I came across a captivating photoset on okayafrica.com which highlights some of the socio-political unrest surrounding the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. According to the post, Brazilian citizens are feeling the steep economic impact of the World Cup’s $11 billion price tag and the government’s preoccupation with bolstering the public image of 12 host cities at the expense of education, transportation and healthcare infrastructure.

Having visited Brazil recently, I was witness to the very real challenges that pose long-term concerns for the country post World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Having also lived in South Africa for 8 years, host of the 2010 World Cup, I see similarities in the challenges both countries face on an economic and social level. I am against poverty tourism, which is one of the reasons I chose not to venture into the favelas of Rio de Janeiro as a tourist. Living in Johannesburg, South Africa was a different matter, as the largely Black-inhabited townships or slums continue to form the backbone of one of Africa’s strongest economies in a post-Apartheid republic. Afro-Brazilian residents of favelas experience much the same marginalization as many Black South Africans have for years. The frustration behind this visual expression is a form of social activism that will be on display for thousands of tourists to see. 

   

In other news, Afro-Belgian, electro-hip hop artist (and my new obsession), Stromae has produced an anthem for the Belgian national team, Diables Rouges. His song titled Ta Fête features much of the same drum ‘n bass/house vibes present in all of his work and is delivered in this how-to video format made so popular by his other YouTube tutorials, or “les leçons.” In this demo, Paul Van Haver (aka Stromae) breaks down his beats and mingles with the Belgian team in a way that only he can. A short version of the song itself begins at the 5-minute mark, while the full version includes footage of Stromae’s live performance in a stadium.   

I am never disappointment by Stromae’s uninhibited use of colour, character and charisma in his videos. His tribute to the late Cape Verdean songstress Cesária Évora titled Ave Cesaria reminds me of the rhythmic chanting and percussion associated with the Brazilian martial arts dance known as capoeira. Aside from being an amazing vocalist and dancer, Stromae is also a genius with word play, often interchanging French and English translations to evoke separate meanings. An example of this word play would be his deeply emotional song titled Quand C’est?, which is in fact a ballad about cancer (French pronunciation). Another song is Papaoutai, for which he created a clothing line titled MOSAERT inspired by the prints in this video. The song is actually asking the question “Papa, où t’es?” or “Dad, where are you?” Other tunes I currently have in heavy rotation include Tous Les Mêmes, Alors On Danse, Bienvenue Chez Moi, Formidable and Te Quiero, to name a few. It’s just a bonus that I get to brush up on my French while listening to Stromae’s thought-provoking lyrics.