After its debut in the 1980 carnival, the band conquered almost two thousand members and started to approach historical themes related to African and Brazilian cultures. The band's first LP, "Egypt, Madagascar", was recorded in 1987 and achieved great success in Bahia and the rest of the country with the song "Faraó". The idea of this LP was to pay homage to the group's roots and show Brazil the Mama Africa, and also to present to the world how the group came about, from the drumming to the influences of the African Gods. Soon after, Olodum became known internationally as an Afro-Brazilian percussion group and toured to many countries in Europe, Japan, and almost all of South America. In 1988 Simone recorded "Me Ama, Mô" live in Pelourinho with Neguinho do Samba and Olodum on the album Simone (1989). One of the moments of greatest exposure for the group was in 1990, when it took part in the track "The Obvious Child", from Paul Simon's album, The Rhythm of the Saints, whose videoclip was recorded in Pelourinho and shown in over a hundred countries. After that, Olodum recorded with other nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians such as Caetano Veloso, Daniela Mercury, Margareth Menezes, Pet Shop Boys, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Cliff, and Michael Jackson, spreading the word about their mix of rhythms that includes African drums, reggae, samba, and Latin rhythms. In 2013, he performed a show on the sunset stage of Rock in Rio with the New Zealand singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Kimbra, including a cover of the song "They don't care about us. In addition, she participated in the official music, consequently of the 2014 World Cup opening, with rapper Pitbull and singers Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte. In parallel to its artistic success, the band Olodum participates in social movements against racism and for civil and human rights.
The Olodum Theater Band is a theater group created and linked to the bloco-afro, formed by black actors in 1990.
Over the years, the Olodum Theater Band disengaged from the bloco-afro, and took up residence at the Vila Velha Theater. Thanks to the Bando's occupation, the space was revitalized in 1994 and began to be renovated, being re-inaugurated in 1998. The Bando is still at Teatro Vila Velha today and has produced actors who have consolidated their careers, such as Lázaro Ramos, for example.
Focused on issues of the Brazilian black in its various aspects, the Bando, as it is more commonly called, develops its own language in a format of Experimental Black Theater.
Since October 25, 1984, the Olodum School has been a real space for participation and expression of the afro-descendant community, constituting a national and international reference for its innovative work with art, education and cultural plurality.
This pioneering Afro-Brazilian popular education project originated with the Rufar dos Tambores project, developed in 1984 by Olodum, consisting of free percussion classes of the Afro-Brazilian bloc, and of short term Afro-Brazilian courses.
Initially it aimed to meet a request from the Maciel/Pelourinho community to form a percussion band made up of children and teenagers from the neighborhood.
tekila
Olodum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E não pra se embriagar
Me gusta tequila
Me gusta cerveja
A cada mañana
Bate na cabeça
Carta nevada
Piña colada
Tequila bum bum
É pra beber ô
E não pra se embriagar
O som tão envolvente
Eu não parao de dançar
A noite está tão boa
E tão longa será
Eu sei que é penetrante
O som do meu olodum
Escorregue no balanço
Pois é algo incomum
É pra beber ô
E não pra se embriagar
The lyrics of Olodum's song Tekila are about drinking and having a good time, but also about being responsible and knowing how to enjoy drinks without getting too drunk. The song mentions a few different types of alcohol, including tequila, cerveja (beer), sangue de touro (bull's blood), carta nevada (a type of tequila), and piña colada. The chorus repeats the phrase "é pra beber ô, e não pra se embriagar," which translates to "it's for drinking, not for getting drunk."
The verse talks about how the music is so captivating that the singer can't stop dancing, and how the night is so enjoyable but also long. The singer acknowledges that the sound of Olodum's music is powerful and can be felt in their bones. The refrain repeats the message that drinking is about having fun and enjoying the company of others, but not about losing control and getting too drunk.
Overall, the song is about the joy of drinking and having a good time, but also about being responsible and not going too far. Olodum's music is a mixture of traditional Brazilian rhythms and contemporary styles, and their lyrics often touch on social and political issues as well as personal experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
É pra beber ô
This drink is made to be enjoyed, not to get drunk off of.
E não pra se embriagar
Drinking in moderation is important, don't let it take control.
Me gusta tequila
I enjoy the taste of tequila.
Me gusta cerveja
I also enjoy drinking beer.
A cada manhã bate na cabeça
Waking up after a night of drinking can be painful.
Sangue de touro
The traditional tequila made from the heart of the agave plant.
Carta nevada
A brand of tequila from Mexico.
Piña colada
A fruity cocktail made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice.
Tequila bum bum
The beat of the music and the rhythm of the party.
O som tão envolvente
The music is captivating and intoxicating.
Eu não paro de dançar
I can't stop moving to the beat.
A noite está tão boa
The night is filled with fun and excitement.
E tão longa será
The night will be long, filled with memories to last forever.
Eu sei que é penetrante
The music and atmosphere are all-consuming.
O som do meu olodum
The sound of Olodum's music, a unique and entrancing experience.
Escorregue no balanço
Let loose and enjoy the rhythm of the music.
Pois é algo incomum
This experience is unlike anything else, something special and rare.
Contributed by Jordan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.