Afroreggae @ Barbican Centre, London, 2007 - Part 2

A radical revolution in sound.

For two performances only, AfroReggae brings to the Barbican stage a base-line experience of Brazilian culture: the beat of the favela, the shanty-town sound. Their multi-style performance is a skillful combination of the most vital movements in Brazilian culture, from Tropicalismo to mangue beat, from Paulista rap to samba-reggae, from capoeira to carioca funk.

AfroReggae is a cultural group that was established in the favela (shantytown) of Vigario Geral in 1993. They work within the poorest and most violent communities in Rio de Janeiro, aiming to take young people out of the drug trade through arts-based activities. The story of the group was documented in the award-winning film Favela Rising.

AfroReggae's success as artists has been extraordinary. The main band tours extensively throughout Brazil and abroad. AfroReggae performed at the Barbican as part of bite06, just after supporting the Rolling Stones on Copacabana beach. The AfroReggaeUK partnership is working to engage young people in the UK with the AfroReggae project over the next six years.

(Video features Asian Dub Foundation)