His style is sometimes called samba-funk, and it incorporates many jazz, bossa nova, and hip hop elements as well. His first two albums, Achados e Perdidos and Japanpopshow, were released by ybmusic. On the thirtd, but pioneering Arrocha (Six Degrees Records), he has built upon prior success in creating a melodically addicting and rhythmically potent exploration of modern Brazil.
Discovered by California hip-hop outfit Blackalicious on a 2005 South American tour, the duo helped Curumin gain international recognition by releasing his debut, Achados e Perdidos, in the United States. After successfully launching his presence in the States at CMJ that same year, he was quickly booked to perform at Chicago's World Music Festival and the M3 Conference the following year. Natalie Portman included his track 'Tudo Bern Malandro' on a compilation; when 'Guerreiro' was used in a Nike ad during the FIFA World Cup, the fame he never sought was ensured.
It was Curumin's second album, JapanPopShow, that really launched him in 2008. His unique fusing of samba, reggae, electronica, funk and hip-hop earned him gigs at Central Park Summerstage, Los Angeles's Grand Performances, the Montreal Jazz Fest, the Red Hot Rio +2 concert at Brooklyn's BAM and San Francisco's Stern Grove. He's performed alongside Femi Kuti, Jorge Ben, Money Mark, Blackalicious and Juana Molina, and earned glowing accolades from the NY Times, Spin, the Village Voice and Billboard.com.
Part of a wave of evolutionary Brazilian artists updating their native soundscape, this self-professed tropicalia and funk addict now delves deeply into the electronic sound of his MPC to control the direction. 'I created different atmospheres and textures from doing a lot of research with all of the albums I have here in my house,' he says. Being that his home would not cater to a full band set-up, Arrocha dives right into the heart of his intentions: it's a warm, sensitive journey featuring gorgeous melodies floating over a wash of spacious percussion, guitars and bass, while never losing the danceable beats that his culture demands.
Afoxoque
Curumin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na liberdade
Isso cheira bem
Cheira pimenta
Palavra que me arde
Dentro da boca
Língua que faísca
Como um machado
Machado de dois gumes que é igual pros dois lados
Bate o machado que é igual pros dois lados
Afoxoque ê
Afoxoque ê
Afoxoque
Quê, quê, quê?
Afoxoque
Quê, quê, quê?
E o que me dá força
É a palavra do bem que sai da boca
Palavra de quem tem língua solta
Faz valer nesse canto
Cada gota de sangue
Vou lá no mar, vou no mangue
Por cada gota de sangue
Vou lá no mar, vou no mangue
Por cada gota de sangue
Vou beber do mé
Vou dormir no mar
Vou comer do amor
Vou cantar afoxé
Vou bater meu pé
Pra meu patuá
Me proteger nessa terra
Vou lá no mar, vou no mangue
Por cada gota de sangue
Vou lá no mar, vou no mangue
Por cada gota de sangue
Afoxoque ê
Afoxoque ê
Afoxoque
Quê, quê, quê?
Afoxoque
Quê, quê, quê?
The first verse of Curumin's song Afoxoque talks about the power of words and how they can have different meanings and impacts depending on the context in which they are used. The singer mentions the word "liberdade" (freedom) and how it smells like "pimenta" (pepper), which is a metaphor for how it can be both spicy and uncomfortable, but also exhilarating and invigorating. The word "ar" (burn) is also used to describe the sensation that the word "liberdade" produces, emphasizing how it can provoke strong emotions and reactions in people. The singer goes on to compare this feeling to the sharpness of an axe, which can also have a double-edged effect depending on how it is used. This message is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "Machado de dois gumes que é igual pros dois lados" (Double-edged axe that is the same on both sides) and "Bate o machado que é igual pros dois lados" (Hit the axe that is the same on both sides).
The chorus of the song is a chant-like repetition of the word "afoxoque", which is a word used in African-Brazilian traditions to describe a type of dance that invokes the spirits of the ancestors. This word is used as a symbol of resistance and solidarity, as it represents a cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations and that continues to thrive despite centuries of oppression and marginalization. The singer describes how the power of the word "bem" (goodness) gives him strength and how he uses his voice to make a difference in his community. He mentions the importance of the "língua solta" (loose tongue) in being able to express oneself freely and honestly, without fear of reprisal or censorship. He also talks about his connection to the land and the sea, and how he derives inspiration from nature and the elements.
Line by Line Meaning
Se me andam a falar
If they are talking about me
Na liberdade
In freedom
Isso cheira bem
That smells good
Cheira pimenta
Smells like pepper
Palavra que me arde
Words that sting me
Dentro da boca
Inside my mouth
Língua que faísca
Tongue that sparks
Como um machado
Like an axe
Machado de dois gumes que é igual pros dois lados
Double-edged axe that's the same on both sides
Bate o machado que é igual pros dois lados
Hit the double-edged axe that's the same on both sides
Afoxoque ê
Afoxoque
Afoxoque
Afoxoque
Quê, quê, quê?
What, what, what?
E o que me dá força
And what gives me strength
É a palavra do bem que sai da boca
Is the word of goodness that comes out of my mouth
Palavra de quem tem língua solta
Words from someone with a loose tongue
Faz valer nesse canto
Make it count in this song
Cada gota de sangue
Every drop of blood
Vou lá no mar, vou no mangue
I'll go there in the sea, I'll go there in the mangroves
Por cada gota de sangue
For every drop of blood
Vou beber do mé
I'll drink honey liquor
Vou dormir no mar
I'll sleep in the sea
Vou comer do amor
I'll eat love
Vou cantar afoxé
I'll sing afoxé
Vou bater meu pé
I'll stomp my foot
Pra meu patuá
For my amulet
Me proteger nessa terra
Protect me on this land
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nathalia Ferreira
parece simples mas tem muuuito significado esse vídeo e essa letra! O quiabo, o trovão, o mar, o Oxê.. Me sinto representada!
Fábio Souza
Esse clipe é uma beleza 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
camila cypriano
Luciano, minha filha de 3 anos adoro esse som! Pede todos os dias para escutar...coisa boa!
Marlon Henrique
Tô obcecado por esse álbum Arrocha, escuto todo dia. Que obra de arte!
Rogério Carnaval
"Bate o machado que igual dos dois lados." kaô kabecilê
Emilly Oliveira
Parabéns pelo som <3
akarudie
Fantástico!! Criativo e artesanal!
Letícia Gratão
Parabéns pelo álbum. Sempre escuto inteiroooo. Eu amo demais!
Tchetchelito Tchelo
Muito bom!
minimalist
DEMAIS!!!!