Rap, Rock, Ska, Hardcore and Samba.
First appearing in 1993 in Rio de J… Read Full Bio ↴Rap, Rock, Ska, Hardcore and Samba.
First appearing in 1993 in Rio de Janeiro, with politically charged lyrics about marijuana legalization, they started playing concerts in Rio de Janeiro and other capitals, such as Belo Horizonte, São Paulo and Curitiba.

Planet Hemp began attracting mainstream attention due to the violent outbreaks which were common during their concerts. In 1994 Skunk, one of the original band members passed away, interrupting Planet Hemp's career for some time, but after B Negão joined the group they signed a contract with Sony Music, releasing "Usuário" in 1995.

The album turned the band into an icon of the 90s Brazilian rock, with successful hits such as "Mantenha o Respeito", "Legalize Já", "Fazendo a Cabeça" and the controversial "Porcos Fardados" (Pigs in Uniform), a critique of the police brutality.

Because of their commitment and lyrics towards the legalization of marijuana, Planet Hemp has had issues with the Brazilian authorities. This tension has lead to apprehended records, cancelled concerts and prison warrants (in Brazil it is illegal to promote/defend the use of prohibited substances, including but not limited to weed).

The band ended in 2001, due to internal conflicts regarding Marcelo D2 solo career.

Members:
Marcelo D2 (vocals)
Skunk (vocals, 1993-94)
Rafael (guitar)
Formigão (bass)
Bacalhau (drums)
B Negão (vocals)
Zé Gonzales (programming)
Apollo 9 (keyboards)
Black Alien (vocals)

Bala Perdida
Planet Hemp Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Você anda pelas ruas com medo de que ?
São apenas as balas perdidas querendo encontrar você
Para combater o tráfico é muito fácil é só matar
Vão matando o favelado e nem pensam em legalizar
É revolta na favela que tá cansada de apanhar
Assim como a polícia estão querendo se arrumar
Lampião que tava certo são macacos do governo
Ou te fazem emboscada ou te causam desespero.

Bala perdida!

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Planet Hemp's "Bala Perdida" portrays the fear that permeates the streets due to the presence of stray bullets. The streets are an environment in which people are afraid to walk because they might be surprised by a moment of violence, caught in the crossfire of a shootout. The song's overall message is an indictment of the Brazilian government's approach to combating drug-related violence, which has resulted in the deaths of countless innocent people.

The second verse suggests that authorities have a simplistic approach to dealing with drug problems. Killing suspected drug dealers is the solution offered by authorities, but it only deepens the underlying issues that fuel violence in the favelas. The song asks for the government to legalize drugs rather than enforcing prohibition, which has led to decades-long violence.

The song ends with the powerful chant, "Bala perdida!" which means "stray bullet!" and invokes the volatility of the streets, the potential for violence and death to strike without warning. Planet Hemp highlights the human cost of drug violence and calls for reform that can reduce the senseless suffering it causes to Brazil's people.

Line by Line Meaning

Você anda pelas ruas com medo de que ?
Why are you afraid of walking down the streets?

São apenas as balas perdidas querendo encontrar você
It's just the stray bullets looking to hit you

Para combater o tráfico é muito fácil é só matar
They think killing is the easy solution to fight drug trafficking

Vão matando o favelado e nem pensam em legalizar
They keep killing the people from the favelas without considering legalizing drugs

É revolta na favela que tá cansada de apanhar
There's a revolt in the favelas that's tired of being mistreated

Assim como a polícia estão querendo se arrumar
Just like the police, they want to improve themselves

Lampião que tava certo são macacos do governo
Even Lampião, who was right, became government monkeys

Ou te fazem emboscada ou te causam desespero.
They either ambush you or cause despair

Bala perdida!
Stray bullet!

Contributed by Callie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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