Reggae in the Land of Forró: Dialogues, Interpenetrations and Conflicts

Abstract

This article presents the current reggae scene in Paraíba in northeastern Brazil. Throughout the study, Paraíba was characterized many times as "the land of forró" in respect to the popularity and dominance of this musical genre played and appreciated in the region of our study. Compared to other neighboring states in Northeast Brazil, reggae in Paraíba does not enjoy the same level of popularity, although reggae bands do exist and frequently perform in a few locations in the region. This article addresses the causes of the challenges faced by reggae in Paraiba that were identified in the ethnographic study and includes a small reflection on the dynamics of these issues.

Keywords

• Reggae. Paraíba. Forró.