In Brazil favela, rap battle is sign of returning normality
ABC News
A rap battle at a local bar means good news for people in Rio de Janeiro's City of God favela
RIO DE JANEIRO -- This kind of battle was good news for the impoverished, sometimes violent Cidade de Deus favela in Rio de Janeiro: a rap duel in a local bar held for the first time since the pandemic hit early last year.
Ten local rappers took turns at the microphones as an audience of several dozen cheered and waved their arms to the beat Wednesday night.
It was a sign of a gradual return to normality after almost two years of restrictions meant to slow the spread of COVID-19, a chance to finally celebrate a bit in the “City of God,” a favela made famous by a movie of the same name.
“Many were at home, depressed, and they came here to let it out," said Fabio de Oliveira, who owns the open-air bar where the contest was held. He said people tell him it "saved my life because I was depressed. Now I come here, I chat, I have friends, I have a family.”