Photos by Alex Almeida and Buda Mendes
By Rafaela Fernandes Silva, Staff Writer
9/23/25
ROCKLAND- Bringing Brazilian music and culture to Rockland High School is bringing more cultural awareness to students and staff.
Brazilian culture music started with the blending of Native Americans, Portuguese, and African influences during the colonial period, particularly on sugar plantations.
When people first hear about Brazilian culture, we automatically think of the delicious foods, the vivacity of the music and the heartwarming people.
Senior Clara De Oliveira said, “When I first hear of Brazilian culture I think of the music, the people and the people,”
How did funk become such a popular music genre? It all started in Rio’s favelas underground dance parties (bailes) where DJ’s played American funk and Miami bass, which locals then adapted into a unique Portuguese-language.
Freshman Livia Tomaz said, “ I listen to funk all the time but I don't exactly have a favorite artist, i just listen to any song that is funk."
Tomaz said that she is a very big fan of the funk genre and that she listens to it all the time.
Vocalist from the band Charlie Brown Jr. most known as Chorao, adopted the name Charlie Brown Jr. in 1992. Their music fused skate punk, hardcore, reggae, and hip hop, with lyrics about social issues that resonated with marginalized youth.
Tomaz said, “Artists that I really like especially Brazilian rock like Charlie Brown Jr."
Teachers of ESL also get involved in Brazilian culture because they teach many Brazilian students.
Ms. Julia Driscoll, who teaches at Rogers Middle School, said, “Most of my students are from Brazil, so I feel like as the year goes on, I love different pieces of the Brazilian culture.”