Brixton Bronx Ou Baixada
O Rappa Lyrics

The lyrics of O Rappa's song Brixton Bronx ou Baixada explore the similarities and differences between the urban landscapes of Brixton and Bronx, two historically impoverished neighborhoods in London and New York, respectively, and Baixada Fluminense, a district located just outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The singer in the song questions the meaning behind the graffiti on the walls and the social barriers that divide these communities. Despite the struggles they face, the song also celebrates the strength and resilience of the people who live there, their diverse musical traditions, and the transformative power of rhythm and poetry.

The first verse asks what the wall graffiti and social barriers have to say. It also questions why people learn to pray so early and why so many cults have a place in these communities. The second verse references the contrast between the beauty of music and the harsh reality of gang violence. The chorus repeats the phrase "tudo, tudo, tudo igual" which means "everything, everything, everything is the same" and describes how these different neighborhoods may look different on the surface but have similar issues.

The third verse speaks to the power of art, specifically poetry and drumming, to tell stories and bring hope. The last lines pay homage to diverse musical genres and spiritual traditions, including samba, hip-hop, reggae, jazz, baião, and macumba, suggesting that all of these forms of music can bring people together despite their cultural differences.