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.
Samba Japa
Curumin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A menina sonhou alí
E sonhou
A menina sonhou alí
No meio da rua
Na avenida central
Ela nao podia parar
E mesmo que as pessoas
Ela voou pro Japão
Dançou com o Shogun
Surfou no vulcão
E sonhou
A menina sonhou alí
E sonhou
A menina sonhou alí
No meio da rua
Na avenida central
Ela nao podia parar
E mesmo que as pessoas
Nela tropeçassem
Ela voou pro Japão
Dançou com o shogun
Surfou no vulcão
E sonhou
A menina sonhou alí
E sonhou
A menina sambou alí
No meio da rua
Na avenida central
Ela nao podia parar
E mesmo que as pessoas
Nela tropeçassem
Ela voou pro japão
Shango do shogun
Hiroshima e Shingu
E mais cinco aneis
No rabo de dragão
By: André Malta
The lyrics of Curumin's "Samba Japa" describe a young girl dreaming of traveling to Japan and experiencing its culture. Despite obstacles in her path, she continues to dance and dream of new adventures. The repetition of "e sonhou" ("and she dreamed") emphasizes the power and importance of imagination and dreams in creating new possibilities.
The song's upbeat rhythm and use of traditional Brazilian samba elements enhance the sense of joy and excitement in the girl's journey. The mention of historical and cultural references such as the shogun, Hiroshima, and Shingu provide a glimpse into the rich history and traditions of Japan, highlighting the girl's fascination with the country.
Overall, "Samba Japa" celebrates the power of imagination and the beauty of cultural exploration through its catchy melody and insightful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
E sonhou
The girl dreamed
A menina sonhou alí
The girl dreamed there
E sonhou
And dreamed
A menina sonhou alí
The girl dreamed there
No meio da rua
In the middle of the street
Na avenida central
On the main avenue
Ela nao podia parar
She couldn't stop
E mesmo que as pessoas
And even if people
Nela tropeçassem
Stumbled upon her
Ela voou pro Japão
She flew to Japan
Dançou com o Shogun
Danced with the shogun
Surfou no vulcão
Surfed on the volcano
E sonhou
And dreamed
A menina sonhou alí
The girl dreamed there
E sonhou
And dreamed
A menina sonhou alí
The girl dreamed there
No meio da rua
In the middle of the street
Na avenida central
On the main avenue
Ela nao podia parar
She couldn't stop
E mesmo que as pessoas
And even if people
Nela tropeçassem
Stumbled upon her
Ela voou pro Japão
She flew to Japan
Dançou com o shogun
Danced with the shogun
Surfou no vulcão
Surfed on the volcano
E sonhou
And dreamed
A menina sonhou alí
The girl dreamed there
E sonhou
And dreamed
A menina sambou alí
The girl sambaed there
No meio da rua
In the middle of the street
Na avenida central
On the main avenue
Ela nao podia parar
She couldn't stop
E mesmo que as pessoas
And even if people
Nela tropeçassem
Stumbled upon her
Ela voou pro japão
She flew to Japan
Shango do shogun
Shango of the shogun
Hiroshima e Shingu
Hiroshima and Shingu
E mais cinco aneis
And five more rings
No rabo de dragão
On the dragon's tail
Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mirosław Malec
I still love this song. Can somebody invite Curumin to Poland? I'd love to go to the concert of this guy, he is extraordinary.
v4cilana
Quarentena só rolando Curumin 💛
NEGO DISCOS
esse disco essa música mereciam um premio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Le Vasconcellos
já ouvi 1000 vezes ...
Douglas S.S
Sensacional. Aprendi a gostar de Curumin ouvindo a Oi FM.
Marta Pereira
Saudades da oi fm. Programa sopa diário da oi. Bons tempos! Pena que saiu de Recife.
HIGHHEART
Escuto até hoje, não me canso ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Alan Trindade
Melhor música brasileira
Veredas Estúdio
Bela música Mestre Curumin!
Edith Rodriguez
una cancion que me hizo levantar de la silla para bailarla...deliciosa! autentica!