Racionias MC's first appeared on the Zimbabwe label compilation Consciência Black (Black Conscience) in 1988. Their songs "Pânico na Zona Sul" ("Panic on the Southside") and "Tempos Difíceis" ("Hard Times") offer a snapshot of favela life with lyrics vividly depicting rampant police brutality, racism, poverty, and crime. The group released their first album, 'Holocausto Urbano' ('Urban Holocaust') in 1990. The EP included the two songs from Consiência Black along with three new tracks dealing with themes of loose women and institutionalized racism. The group played several shows around the city and state of São Paulo over the next two years, including two shows at the FEBEM (Fundação Estadual do Bem-Estar do Menor) juvenile detention center and a special show with Public Enemy at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera.
Racionias MC's gained national attention with their participation in the Ministry of Education's ARAPensado e Educação (loosely translated as "The Rap Thinking and Education) program in 1992. The program included lectures and discussions in schools on a variety of issues affecting favela inhabitants, including drugs, police violence, poverty, and racism. These forums had the dual effect of expanding awareness of Racionas MC's agenda along with their fan base, as residents the favelas in cities across Brazil could relate to the Paulista rap group's experience. That year the group released their second album, 'Escolha o Seu Caminho' ('Choose Your Path'), with the notable tracks "Voz Ativa" ("Active Voice") and "Negro Limitado" ("Limited Black"). Following its release the group headlined the Rap no Vale show at Vale do Anhangabaú in São Paulo.
In 1993 the group saw their notoriety continue to increase. They participated in the National Theatre's Música Negra em Ação (Black Music in Action) project alongside Thaíde e DJ Hum, another prominent São Paulo Hip Hop act. Their philanthropic activities continued as they played several benefit shows for health clinics, youth sports programs, and samba schools. The year also saw the release of their first full length LP 'Raio X Brasil' ('X Ray Brazil'). The album includes several standout tracks including "Fim de Semana no Parque" ("Weekend in the Park"), a lyrical sketch of lowlifes in São Paulo; "Mano na Porta do Bar" ("Bar Doorman"), a skillful remix of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead"; and the unexpected harmonica and piano jam "Fio da Navalha" ("Razor Wire"). Mano Brown won the Prêmio Sharp award for "O Homem na Estrada" ("The Highwayman"), one of the album's other notable tracks. A 1994 show at the Vale do Anhangabaú in support of the album ended in a riot when police raided the show and arrested the group. The group was charged with inciting violence.
Legal problems following the 1994 Vale do Anhangabaú show delayed the release of Racionais MC's third album. This led them to leave Zimbabwe and start their own label, Cosa Nostra. 'Sobrevivendo no Inferno' ('Surviving in Hell'), appeared in 1997 and sold 500,000 copies. "Diário de um Detento" ("Diary of an Inmate") and "Mágico de Oz" ("Wizard of Oz") won them awards for Best Rap Group and Audience's Choice at the 1998 MTV Brasil Video Music Awards.
Sou + Você
Racionais Mc's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Estamos iniciando nossas transmissões
Essa é a sua rádio Êxodos
Hei, hei
Vamos acordar, vamos acordar
Porque o Sol não espera demorou, vamos acordar
O tempo não cansa ontem a noite você pediu
Como Deus é bom né não nego?
Olha aí, mais um dia todo seu
Que céu azul louco hein?
Vamo acordar, vamo acordar
Agora vem com a sua cara, sou mais você nessa guerra
A preguiça é inimiga da vitória
O fraco não tem espaço e o covarde morre sem tentar
Não vou te enganar, o bagulho tá doido e ninguém confia em ninguém
Nem em você, os inimigos vêm de graça
É a selva de pedra, ela esmaga os humildes demais
Você é do tamanho do seu sonho, faz o certo, faz a sua
Vamo acordar, vamo acordar
Cabeça erguida, olhar sincero, 'tá com medo de quê?
Nunca foi fácil, junta os seus pedaços e desce pra arena
Mas lembre-se, aconteça o que aconteça, nada como um dia após outro dia
The opening line of "Bênção, mãe" sets the tone for the entire song, which translates to "Blessing, mother." The song starts with the introduction of a new radio station, "Êxodos," which means "Exodus." The radio station serves as a metaphor for leaving behind the old and embracing something new. The song urges the listener to wake up and face a new day, as time waits for no one. The lyrics emphasize the importance of taking advantage of opportunities and not giving up on oneself despite the difficulties and challenges that life brings.
The lyrics also mention that life is tough, and one must be strong and determined to succeed. The line "a preguiça é inimiga da vitória" means "laziness is the enemy of victory," underscoring the importance of hard work and perseverance. The song encourages the listener to be confident, bold, and not to fear failure. The line "nunca foi fácil" means "it was never easy" and acknowledges that life is full of obstacles, but it's essential to face them with courage.
Overall, "Sou + Você" is a motivational song that inspires the listener to wake up, face their fears, work hard, and never give up on their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Bênção, mãe
Greetings, mother
Estamos iniciando nossas transmissões
We are starting our broadcast
Essa é a sua rádio Êxodos
This is your Êxodos radio
Hei, hei
Hey, hey
Vamos acordar, vamos acordar
Let's wake up, let's wake up
Porque o Sol não espera demorou, vamos acordar
Because the sun doesn't wait, let's wake up
O tempo não cansa ontem a noite você pediu
Time doesn't get tired, last night you asked
Você pediu Uma oportunidade mais uma chance
You asked for an opportunity, one more chance
Como Deus é bom né não nego?
God is good, isn't He? I don't deny it
Olha aí, mais um dia todo seu
There it is, another whole day for you
Que céu azul louco hein?
What a crazy blue sky, huh?
Vamo acordar, vamo acordar
Let's wake up, let's wake up
Agora vem com a sua cara, sou mais você nessa guerra
Now face it head on, I am with you in this battle
A preguiça é inimiga da vitória
Laziness is the enemy of victory
O fraco não tem espaço e o covarde morre sem tentar
The weak have no space and the coward dies without trying
Não vou te enganar, o bagulho tá doido e ninguém confia em ninguém
I won't lie to you, things are crazy and no one trusts anyone
Nem em você, os inimigos vêm de graça
Not even in you, the enemies come for free
É a selva de pedra, ela esmaga os humildes demais
It's the concrete jungle, it crushes the too humble
Você é do tamanho do seu sonho, faz o certo, faz a sua
You are the size of your dream, do what's right, do yours
Vamo acordar, vamo acordar
Let's wake up, let's wake up
Cabeça erguida, olhar sincero, 'tá com medo de quê?
Head held high, sincere gaze, what are you afraid of?
Nunca foi fácil, junta os seus pedaços e desce pra arena
It was never easy, gather your pieces and go down to the arena
Mas lembre-se, aconteça o que aconteça, nada como um dia após outro dia
But remember, no matter what happens, there's nothing like one day after another day
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Pedro Paulo Soares Pereira
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind