Latest news with #ComandoVermelho
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Brazil's funk star's arrest sparks censorship debate
The arrest of a popular funk singer in Brazil on suspicion of glorifying a powerful crime gang has revived a long-standing debate over the criminalisation of a genre born in Rio de Janeiro's gritty favelas, or slums. Unlike its US namesake, which was popularised by James Brown, Rio funk borrows more from hip-hop, blended with samba and other Brazilian rhythms. The lyrics, seen by many as celebrating favela drug lords, have repeatedly led to calls for songs to be censored. Last week, MC Poze do Rodo, one of the genre's best-known artists with 16 million followers on Instagram, was arrested on charges of glorifying crime and having links to Comando Vermelho (CV), one of Brazil's biggest gangs. The police argue that Poze's music "clearly condones" drug trafficking and illegal use of firearms and point to concerts held "exclusively in areas dominated by CV, with a notable presence of traffickers armed with high-calibre weapons." After five days in preventive custody, the 26-year-old singer was released on Tuesday to a rapturous welcome from waiting fans, who swarmed his car in a column of motorbikes. Speaking afterwards, the singer claimed he was the victim of police discrimination. "Rio de Janeiro police don't like me... because I'm black? Because I'm from a favela?" Marlon Brendon Coelho Couto was born in the favela of Rodo, one of the biggest in western Rio. He has admitted to selling drugs in his youth but says that he abandoned crime to devote himself to music. Police footage of his arrest at his current home in the upmarket Recreio dos Bandeirantes district, cuffed and shirtless, surrounded by heavily armed officers, caused an outcry among his fans. Fellow musicians took part in a campaign for his release, organised by his wife, influencer Viviane Noronha, on the grounds that "funk singers are not criminals." The debate surrounding funk's role in crime mirrors long-standing discussions in the United States over the links between rap and violence in Black communities. Danilo Cymrot, a doctor in criminology at the University of Sao Paulo, pointed to a "grey area" in the definition of glorification of violence, relating to artistic content. "The artist doesn't necessarily agree with his lyrics," Cymrot, author of a book about Rio funk, said. He added that "oftentimes, the police and the judiciary have a hard time understanding funk as a work of art." As a result, he said, the artist's origins are often used to determine whether he condones violence. "It's less the message itself and more who is singing it."
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brazilian rapper's crime-ridden lyrics link him to notorious gang as police swoop in
A top Brazilian musician ended up snitching on himself after his lyrics citing the feared Comando Vermelho gang linked him to the very same crime organization. MC Poze do Rozo, 26, whose Instagram page is filled with snaps of his lavish lifestyle and famous pals like Brazilian soccer star Neymar, is being investigated for his role in allegedly inciting violence and drug trafficking. Narcotic agents from the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police served a temporary arrest warrant at the funk artist's luxury condominium in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a neighborhood located on the west side of Rio de Janeiro. In the song Na CDD Só Tem Bandido Faixa Preta, Poze claims it's time for the Comando Vermelho to regain possession of turf that was taken over by rival criminal groups. He rapped: 'We have Glock, we have AK, 62 with laser sight, terror of the Germans. It's the kids from 13. 'We're going to go back home and put the bullet to eat. Retake what's ours and shout: It's the CV!' Authorities also claim Poze also only performed in areas where the Comando Vermelho had a stronghold. They believe his shows helped 'increase [the gang's] profits from the sale of narcotics, using the resources to purchase more drugs, firearms and other equipment necessary to commit crimes'. The rapper's legal team said: 'Poze was surprised with a temporary arrest warrant and a search and seizure at his home. 'The accusation of association with trafficking and apology for crime makes little sense. Poze is an artist who succeeded in life through his music. 'Many musicians, actors, and directors have artistic pieces that depict situations that would be crimes, but they are never prosecuted because they are clearly works of fiction. 'Poze's arrest, or that of any MC in this context, is nothing more than the criminalization of peripheral art, persecution, and yet another episode of racism and institutional prejudice, in the most absurd way, that Poze was led to, and this is the greatest proof of that.'
France 24
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Does Brazilian funk glorify crime? Singer's arrest triggers debate
Unlike its US namesake, which was popularized by James Brown, Rio funk borrows more from hip-hop, blended with samba and other Brazilian rhythms. The lyrics, seen by many as celebrating favela drug lords, have repeatedly led to calls for songs to be censored. Last week, MC Poze do Rodo, one of the genre's best-known artists with 16 million followers on Instagram, was arrested on charges of glorifying crime and having links to Comando Vermelho (CV), one of Brazil's biggest gangs. The authorities said his arrest aimed to send a message to those "who romanticize and help spread narcoculture." The police argue that Poze's music "clearly condones" drug trafficking and illegal use of firearms and point to concerts held "exclusively in areas dominated by CV, with a notable presence of traffickers armed with high-caliber weapons." After five days in preventive custody, the 26-year-old singer was released on Tuesday to a rapturous welcome from waiting fans, who swarmed his car in a column of motorbikes. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Speaking afterwards, the singer claimed he was the victim of police discrimination. "Rio de Janeiro police don't like me... because I'm black? Because I'm from a favela?" 'Singers are not criminals' Marlon Brendon Coelho Couto was born in the favela of Rodo, one of the biggest in western Rio. He has admitted to selling drugs in his youth but says that he abandoned crime to devote himself to music. Police footage of his arrest at his current home in the upmarket Recreio dos Bandeirantes district, cuffed and shirtless, surrounded by heavily armed officers, caused an outcry among his fans. Fellow musicians took part in a campaign for his release, organized by his wife, influencer Viviane Noronha, on the grounds that "funk singers are not criminals." Erika Hilton, a Congress member, argued that by arresting Poze the authorities were seeking to "project all the sins of the world onto black people." But many rejoiced at seeing the star behind bars, including former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, an ex-army captain, who posted a picture of the singer with a clown emoji on his Instagram account. Arresting the messenger Funk describes the reality of life in Rio's crime-blighted favelas. Poze's lyrics have regularly caused controversy. In his 2023 track "Homenagem Pra Tropa do Rodo," he pays tribute to men killed "shooting for Comando Vermelho." The debate surrounding funk's role in crime mirrors long-standing discussions in the United States over the links between rap and violence in Black communities. Over a decade ago, authorities in the northeastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza passed a law banning venues from hiring artists that incite violence. Similar anti-Oruam bills, as they are known after the rapper son of a famous drug lord, are now also being debated by several other cities and state parliaments. Danilo Cymrot, a doctor in criminology at the University of Sao Paulo, pointed to a "gray area" in the definition of glorification of violence, relating to artistic content. "The artist doesn't necessarily agree with his lyrics," Cymrot, author of a book about Rio funk, said. He added that "oftentimes, the police and the judiciary have a hard time understanding funk as a work of art." As a result, he said, the artist's origins are often used to determine whether he condones violence.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Does Brazilian funk glorify crime? Singer's arrest triggers debate
The arrest of a popular funk singer in Brazil on suspicion of glorifying a powerful crime gang has revived a long-standing debate over the criminalization of a genre born in Rio de Janeiro's gritty favelas, or slums. Unlike its US namesake, which was popularized by James Brown, Rio funk borrows more from hip-hop, blended with samba and other Brazilian rhythms. The lyrics, seen by many as celebrating favela drug lords, have repeatedly led to calls for songs to be censored. Last week, MC Poze do Rodo, one of the genre's best-known artists with 16 million followers on Instagram, was arrested on charges of glorifying crime and having links to Comando Vermelho (CV), one of Brazil's biggest gangs. The authorities said his arrest aimed to send a message to those "who romanticize and help spread narcoculture." The police argue that Poze's music "clearly condones" drug trafficking and illegal use of firearms and point to concerts held "exclusively in areas dominated by CV, with a notable presence of traffickers armed with high-caliber weapons." After five days in preventive custody, the 26-year-old singer was released on Tuesday to a rapturous welcome from waiting fans, who swarmed his car in a column of motorbikes. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Speaking afterwards, the singer claimed he was the victim of police discrimination. "Rio de Janeiro police don't like me... because I'm black? Because I'm from a favela?" - 'Singers are not criminals' - Marlon Brendon Coelho Couto was born in the favela of Rodo, one of the biggest in western Rio. He has admitted to selling drugs in his youth but says that he abandoned crime to devote himself to music. Police footage of his arrest at his current home in the upmarket Recreio dos Bandeirantes district, cuffed and shirtless, surrounded by heavily armed officers, caused an outcry among his fans. Fellow musicians took part in a campaign for his release, organized by his wife, influencer Viviane Noronha, on the grounds that "funk singers are not criminals." Erika Hilton, a Congress member, argued that by arresting Poze the authorities were seeking to "project all the sins of the world onto black people." But many rejoiced at seeing the star behind bars, including former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, an ex-army captain, who posted a picture of the singer with a clown emoji on his Instagram account. - Arresting the messenger - Funk describes the reality of life in Rio's crime-blighted favelas. Poze's lyrics have regularly caused controversy. In his 2023 track "Homenagem Pra Tropa do Rodo," he pays tribute to men killed "shooting for Comando Vermelho." The debate surrounding funk's role in crime mirrors long-standing discussions in the United States over the links between rap and violence in Black communities. Over a decade ago, authorities in the northeastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza passed a law banning venues from hiring artists that incite violence. Similar anti-Oruam bills, as they are known after the rapper son of a famous drug lord, are now also being debated by several other cities and state parliaments. Danilo Cymrot, a doctor in criminology at the University of Sao Paulo, pointed to a "gray area" in the definition of glorification of violence, relating to artistic content. "The artist doesn't necessarily agree with his lyrics," Cymrot, author of a book about Rio funk, said. He added that "oftentimes, the police and the judiciary have a hard time understanding funk as a work of art." As a result, he said, the artist's origins are often used to determine whether he condones violence. "It's less the message itself and more who is singing it." ll/rsr/app/cb/md
New York Post
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Brazilian singer who is pals with Neymar busted for alleged ties to gang he glorified in songs
A hugely popular Brazilian funk star whose songs glorify gang crime has been nabbed for the very same crimes he brags about in his songs. Marlon Brandon Coelho Couto Silva, better known as MC Poze do Rodo, was cuffed at his luxury home in the beachside neighborhood of Recreio dos Bandeirantes on Thursday morning, accused of cozying up to one of Rio De Janeiro's top crime groups, the Comando Velhelmo, according to Agencia Brasil. The 26-year-old influencer has 5.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify and nearly 16 million followers on Instagram, where he shows off his glamorous lifestyle rubbing shoulders with the likes of Brazilian soccer star Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. Advertisement A Brazilian funk star's lyrics are being investigated for cozying up to one of Rio De Janeiro's top crime gangs. Josí© Lucena/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA Press / 'The repertoire of songs sung by him clearly advocates drug trafficking, the illegal use of firearms, and incites armed confrontations between rival gangs, which often results in innocent victims,' the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police told Agencia Brasil. His songs include several glorifying the Comando Velhelmo — whose members were seen toting guns while manning one of his recent shows, Folhape de Pernambuco reported. Advertisement In the song 'Na CDD Só Tem Bandido Faixa Preta,' Silva sang about it being time for Comando Vermelho to take back their turf from rival criminal groups. 'We have Glock, we have AK,' he raps. 'We're going to go back home and put the bullet to eat. Retake what's ours and shout: It's the CV!' Silva's concerts were allegedly used by the crime faction to 'increase profits from the sale of narcotics,' and used resources to 'acquire more drugs, firearms and other equipment necessary to commit crimes,' police told the outlet. Silva's shows were allegedly manned by armed members of Comando Vermelho in gang-controlled areas of Brazil. Instagram/pozevidalouca Advertisement He will be temporarily held in prison as the investigation continues, a custody center told the outlet. Comando Vermelho is one of Brazil's oldest criminal groups, founded in a Rio de Janeiro prison in the 1970s for inmates' self-protection, according to InSight Crime.
