By the age of fifteen she had decided to become a musician, and by her late teens she had studied music theory, as well as the violão (nylon-stringed Brazilian guitar). Her songs reveal her many influences, which include samba, valsa, choro, soul, rhythm and blues, hip hop, reggae, afrobeat, and electrojazz. In particular, she cites as influences the music of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu.
By her late teens Céu was performing onstage with major artists and exploring the repertoire of the marchinhas (turn-of-the-century carnival music). Soon after that she relocated temporarily to New York City, where she had a chance meeting with fellow Brazilian musician Antonio Pinto, who became her flatmate while he was going through some financial difficulties. She later learned that he was actually a distant cousin, and their relationship was renewed when he teamed up with lead producer Beto Villares, composer of the musical score for the film O Ano em que Meus Pais Saíram de Férias, to help her record her album.
Rainha
Céu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dê água pra Ela beber
Dê roupa pra Ela vestir
Saúde pra dar e vender
Dê paz pra Ela descansar
Adubo pra Ela crescer
Dê rosas pra Ela enfeitar
África,
Cadê
Seu trono de Rainha
Cadê
Dona da Realeza
Cadê
Mãe da matéria-prima
Cadê
Vai levar a vida inteira pra lhe agradecer
África,
Cadê
Seu trono de Rainha
Cadê
Dona da Realeza
Cadê
Mãe da matéria-prima
Cadê
vai levar a vida inteira pra lhe agradecer
The lyrics of CéU's song Rainha speaks to the power and beauty of African women. The first stanza seems to suggest that African women are in need of basic necessities such as water, clothing, and good health. The subsequent lines touch on the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual needs of African women. The powerful line, "Dê paz pra Ela descansar" which translates to "Give her peace to rest" speaks to the stress and violence experienced by African women. The line "Adubo pra Ela crescer" which translates to "Fertilizer for her to grow" speaks to the potential and greatness within African women that requires nurturing and growth. Finally, "Dê rosas pra Ela enfeitar" which means "Give her roses to decorate" emphasizes the beauty and abundance that African women deserve.
The chorus of the song, "África, Cadê Seu trono de Rainha Cadê Dona da Realeza Cadê Mãe da matéria-prima Vai levar a vida inteira pra lhe agradecer" translates to "Africa, Where is your queen's throne? Where is the owner of royalty? Where is the mother of raw material? It will take a lifetime to thank her." These lines reflect on the role of African women as the backbone of their communities and the world. The song suggests that African women are deserving of more recognition, appreciation, and gratitude for their resilience and contributions to society.
Line by Line Meaning
Dê água pra Ela beber
Provide her with water to drink
Dê roupa pra Ela vestir
Provide her with clothes to wear
Saúde pra dar e vender
Give her plenty of health
Dê paz pra Ela descansar
Give her peace to rest
Adubo pra Ela crescer
Give her fertilizer to grow
Dê rosas pra Ela enfeitar
Give her roses to decorate herself with
África,
Africa,
Cadê
Where is
Seu trono de Rainha
Her queen's throne
Dona da Realeza
Holder of royalty
Mãe da matéria-prima
Mother of raw materials
Vai levar a vida inteira pra lhe agradecer
It will take a lifetime to thank her
África,
Africa,
Cadê
Where is
Seu trono de Rainha
Her queen's throne
Dona da Realeza
Holder of royalty
Mãe da matéria-prima
Mother of raw materials
Vai levar a vida inteira pra lhe agradecer
It will take a lifetime to thank her
Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paula Melo
Que batida véi, maravilhosa
Michelle Lira
perfeita!!!😍😍😍😍
gracinha santiago
O
Ju Sa
Ahhhhhh eu amo 😍
TheForkedtoungue
This is great!
Mariantonia Ribeiro
❤❤❤
Hamilton Gomes da silva
afro-brasileiro)beat !!!
Raiany Black
Oii Céu, eu to tentando entrar em contato contigo pra pedir permissão da tua música "Rainha" em um vídeo sem fins lucrativos pra livraria Blooks em cima de algumas palestras sobre o feminismo preto! Se puder me dar algum retorno o quanto antes seria ótimo porque sua música caiu perfeitamente!
Brenno Cavalcante
Quero assistir. Deu certo?
Guilherme Seval
"Mãe da matéria-prima"
Cadê? Parece que ninguém se lembra.
Cadê, gente? o trono de Rainha pra Mãe da matéria-prima.