Vell Rangel speaks to Surforeggae about his work and racial issues portrayed on the album "A Luta Continua"

INTERVIEW

 Website: Tell us a little about the CD "A Luta Continua". Would it be a continuation of the CD “Neguinho de Rua” that was recorded live in 1999??Vell: Actually, I couldn't finish the "Neguinho de Rua" project to make it a CD and it became a demo CD. During this period, Alexandre (Natiruts) was interested in recording one of my compositions, but their record company vetoed it. "A Luta Continua" brings 4 songs that were from the previous project, "Guerreira", "Benevolência", "Tio Sam" and "Neguinho de Rua". This CD is the continuation of a work that I have been producing for a long time with the known difficulty of the artist who struggles alone. Website: What do you mean by "The Struggle Continues"?Vell: In this song, I want to say that it is never time to give up, it is always time to fight and seek strength in nature and in everything that is most positive on our planet. It’s always about moving forward, always having resistance, but also knowing how to deal with aggression. My philosophy is love always and always, but if they attack me, I confess that I will not turn the other cheek like Christ did. You need to be firm. Website: What themes are covered in this work?Vell: In "Muro Racial", I talk about the racial issue because I believe in human beings. People had to think more along these lines, without trying to separate people because they are black, indigenous or white, everyone has the right to a space. In the track "Desabafando", I also focus a little on this issue in the section where I say: "I talk about color, I talk about the oppressed class, I talk about the pain that tries to steal our lives". But I also point out that people often confuse reggae with the use of marijuana, when I sing this song live I change the lyrics a little to "reggae isn't just about smoking marijuana and enjoying it". This is due to the fact that they associate reggae with Rastafarianism. I respect Marley a lot and the entire Rastafarian identity that still exists in Jamaica, but I'm not a Rastafarian, I don't follow the Rastafarian religion. I believe a lot in love, I think human beings have to learn that, because love doesn't differentiate anyone. Religion separates people, so I don't think about following a religion. I believe in nature, in what the creator of the universe, father of all science, left us, and in cultivating love, because it is the great truth of the human being, it overrides any religion. If religion fights, love doesn't fight, love wants peace for everyone, and that's what matters. Website: The track "Desabafando" clarifies that to enjoy the rhythm you don't necessarily need to smoke marijuana, as many end up believing...Vell: I think this connotation has to end, especially for young people who are the biggest attendees of reggae shows. Reggae has a very important political and social function. I try to present my work with a concept so that this audience understands, through the messages, the life content that can be acquired. Some people get very confused, even many new bands emerge with the idea of ​​making reggae, associating the rhythm with fun. Reggae is not a joke. This is due to the fact that they publicize Bob Marley's name as a stoner. A lack of clarification as to why he and other reggae idols used marijuana, which was related to Rastafarianism. Drugs have been everywhere for a long time, both in pagode, rock, and other rhythms, but reggae is still very frowned upon, and this greatly harms the evolution of the rhythm in Brazil. I've been through these processes but I discovered that you have to be healthy to be able to support life. I don't have to follow any drug, I have to follow a life with content. So I'm releasing my CD with the aim of showing people that it's possible to be a regga player without using drugs and making them notice the harm they're doing to themselves. Website: I realize that reggae songs don't talk much about women's issues and that in Brazil we also don't have reggae vocalists who stand out. How do you see women in reggae?Vell: I'm really not aware of the existence of reggae vocalists other than as backing vocals (choir). I've heard that in São Paulo and Maranhão there are some women who carry out their work but I haven't heard anything yet. On this CD I present a song called "Guerreira" paying homage to women and my inspiring muse was my mother who almost died when she gave birth to me alone in a straw house in Alagoas. I realize that women in Brazil are very poorly treated and undervalued, they need to be respected. This song says that women also have the power to fight for their ideals and share some issues with men. In "Guerreira" I focus on the maid, observing my mother's battle and aware that many Brazilian maids go through all these difficulties, of taking care of the house and the family at the same time, when they don't have to work outside as a maid as well. Website: What is the panorama of national reggae, where do you think quality reggae is produced?Vell: In various corners of the country, in Bahia there is Edson Gomes, Sine Calmón; in Brasília there is Natiruts, and Maranhão, which is the land of reggae. The south has also been bringing quality bands. There are a lot of good people in Baixada Fluminense, which is the birthplace of reggae here in Rio. Niterói is also a place where reggae has developed a lot. Website: How can you purchase the CD “A Luta Continua”?Vell: Through virtual stores (americanas.com. fnac.com. siciliano.com, etc.) and specialized stores. If you want to know a little more about the work, the website that was launched recently andwww.vellrangel.com.brand that . “The Fight Continues”