This week on Global Notes, Damian Platt, co-author of the book Culture is Our Weapon: Making Music and Changing Lives in Rio de Janeiro, tells us about the favela-born group AfroReggae. Rio party promoter Jose Junior formed the musical outfit in the 1990s at the height of Brazil’s drug violence. Platt chooses some of his favorite AfroReggae tracks and explains how the group gives young people in favelas an alternative to violence.

Track List

1. Berimbau – DJ Sandrinho
2. MarinaGasolina – Bonde do Role
3. Benedito – AfroReggae
4. Nenhum Motivo Eplica a Guerra – AfroReggae

A live performance by the drummers in AfroReggae: