Favela
Exaltasamba Lyrics

você é minha Cinderela
Por que não sonhar assim?
Ser feliz não é ruim
Não deixe São Paulo apagar
O brilho desse olhar

The lyrics of Exaltasamba's song Favela talk about the singer's admiration and love for the titular favela - a Brazilian shantytown. The singer compares the favela to Cinderella, referencing the character's rags-to-riches story in the fairy tale. The lyrics encourage dreaming and finding happiness, with the implication being that despite the negative connotations around favelas, there is still hope and beauty to be found in these communities. The singer implores the favela to not let the city of São Paulo crush its spirit, and to continue to shine brightly.

The song is especially poignant when you consider the context in which it was written - favelas are often considered poverty-stricken, crime-ridden areas in Brazil, and are often looked down upon by those who live in more affluent areas. Despite this, many of Brazil's cultural and artistic exports come from favelas, and there is a complex web of social and economic factors at play within these communities. By singing about the beauty and potential of the favela, Exaltasamba is celebrating a side of Brazil that is often overlooked or ignored.