Two contradictory themes run through Brazilian popular culture as it is expressed on television and in music. But on the other hand, through Rap, young black musicians are beginning to challenge the myths of escapist television. Here, directors of telenovelas, rap musicians and academics examine these conflicting cultural themes in Brazil. Extremes of wealth and poverty sit side by side in the same cities where three quarters of all Brazilians live. And at some point in their lives tune in to watch the telenovelas that are broadcast by Globo TV across the nation for hours every evening.
TV is a huge thing in Brazil.
The country is united, because it s so geographically diverse, only by language. It is remarkable that partly due to the influence of popular music and TV over this huge expanse of Brazil, popular culture as expressed through television and pop music, has been the main instrument of this. Certainly in the public imagination and through the media especially, this new black music became identified with the notion of a threatening black population. For the blacks themselves, this new music was a way of expressing their sense of discontent. The new rap lyrics denounce the marginalisation of black people, especially of black youth.