Surf, Forró and Reggae — anything in common?

With the advent of the styles mentioned from the mid to late 90s, understood as a "trend", many faithful and temporary followers came to light. There was much debate about blending them, about the fervor of each one, and that generated and still generates a lot of controversy. What I want to raise here is the following... until when is it relevant to mix surf, forró and reggae? I'll give the answer in advance: ALWAYS! Each style contains its particularities, but in a final analysis they amount to the same result: Culture not "prostituted", that is, everyone strongly defends that roots label, roots... let's say not everyone is enjoying being called "POP".

The positive side of all this is that whoever defends one style or another is deepening their knowledge and discovering amazing things about it, which can influence to such a degree that new values and personalities emerge. In surfing, for example, there are people who were previously sedentary and who, besides practicing the sport regularly today, became followers of the surf style itself, whether in appearance or more deeply in diet, environmental awareness, and lifestyle in general. In forró one finds one of the most important subjects: The valorization of Brazilian culture with innocent lyrics that often portray the harsh reality of the northeastern people.

When that explosion happened in the country's major capitals, various groups emerged, with even a distortion of the true message to be conveyed. Today, after the dust has settled, more people are interested in the dance and culture than in the crossfire of fashion. In reggae it is no different, but perhaps it is more delicate. Because it contains lyrics and culture of a religious nature, those who truly love true roots reggae are bothered by bands with no commitment and gratuitous lyrics, but the positive point persists. People talk more about peace, friendship, love... things the style constantly preaches, and moreover about injustice, spiritual elevation and the exercise of critical thinking. Seen from a general perspective, all styles lead you to a new conception of life, where your neighbor, pardon the pun, gets ever closer, where the thirst for knowledge about what surrounds you becomes sharper, awakening a being that is less superficial or materialistic.

Whoever surfs understands the sea, the importance of nature... listens to reggae to stay centered and relaxed, knows how to dance and respect their partner in forró, will know who Picutura and Almir Salazar, Bob Marley, Abyssinians, Luiz Gonzaga, Zé Ramalho, etc., etc. and etc. really were and what they wanted to convey.

Bottom line, know who you are before understanding the world around you.