Reggae relics elect a deputy in Maranhão!

Being known by many people in your region is one of the most important factors in being elected federal deputy. Some of those elected are union leaders, others are media phenomena, there are even television presenters. Federal deputy Pinto da Itamaraty (PSDB-MA), owns one of the largest sound companies in São Luiz do Maranhão, radiola Itamaraty.

The city of São Luiz is known as the capital of reggae in Brasil. The deputy's company, one of the main ones in the State, promotes 7 to 8 parties to the rhythm per weekend, which has made him known to a large part of the low-income population - the main audience for the parties. The sound played at the events is primarily Jamaican roots reggae from the 70s, which is no longer produced anywhere, not even in Jamaica, the country that developed the rhythm.

The competition between the 80 radio stations in the São Luiz region is fierce to see who has the most rare old songs. Many business owners, like the deputy, even travel to Jamaica or Londres to look for treasures. In possession of the so-called "rare stones", they do everything to preserve the exclusivity of their songs. They hide the vinyls and place vignettes over all the songs to prevent competitors from using the same recording at another party.

The deputy says he puts up vignettes so they can't "steal" the songs he's hard-earned. He states that one of his platforms for the legislature in the Chamber will be to promote Maranhão culture.