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http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/2176

Brazil is South America's melting pot. It's been that way since it was colonized by the Portuguese.

It's also a musical tapestry of sorts. But even The World's Marco Werman was surprised by the mix of sounds in Brazilian band called Stereo Maracana.

Stereo refers to the medium they work in. Maracana is the name of Rio de Janeiro's huge soccer stadium that has hosted upwards of 200,000 spectators per match. Stereo Maracana, the band, does just that: connecting with the people and popular culture through music.

There's a lot going on in their sound. It's a mouthful, but this is what it is: samba-hip-hop-funk.

Then there are the beats that the six guys in the band have grown up with. Most notably the distinctive Brazilian art form called capoeira, part-martial-arts part-dance.

Stereo Maracana co-founder Pedro D-lita says he used to practice capoeira. He was impressed by its own poetry and rhythm. And what D-lita wanted to do was to mix up capoeira with other styles.

He says he fused capoeira with hip-hop and 1970s funk from American bands like Parliament Funkadelic. And Pedro D-lita says from all that, he hoped to create something really Brazilian. D-lita and Stereo Maracana have done that, and more, on their debut CD "Combatente."

In one tune "Alianca Rebelde," rebel alliance, steel guitars collide with lyrics that champion the oppressed.

Stereo Maracana say they want to fight racial prejudice through their music.

The band regularly puts on concerts all over Rio de Janeiro. It's a simple affair. They get in a bus, and just stop in neighborhoods like the poor favelas to play.

And Pedro D-lita says their tours are not just for the favelas. They play in the suburbs of Rio and the rich neighborhoods too. D-lita says the goal is to integrate people.

D-lita explains that at each concert, they always get a local group to open the show. That way, he says, we give other bands a shot that may not have a chance to get on stage. And the shows are always free.

Despite Stereo Maracana's best efforts to enlighten and educate the masses, their biggest hit so far, in Brazil and around the globe, has not been a political tune.

"Freestyle Love" was huge in Brazil. And a couple of Brazilian compilations produced in Europe picked it up.

Pedro D-lita says he doesn't understand it. He admits "Freestyle Love" is a humorous song and danceable. He says he wrote it for a woman he was trying to go out with. So it's a nice tune and, he adds, a little erotic.

Stereo Maracana is currently in Rio working on their next CD which will be out later this year. They're still into dance music. But they're not sure if they're going to mix politics and sex this time round.

For The World, I'm Marco Werman.

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