Give me a North: Victor Xamã | Amazonas

PORTUGUESE

Me dá um norte! Give me a North!
A column about Amazonian music and culture by Felipe Cordeiro.

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VICTOR XAMÃ | AMAZONAS

Born in Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon, rapper Victor Xamã has been elevating the prominent hip-hop scene of northern Brazil.

With verses and rhymes that reflect the existential harshness of living amidst the great challenges of a large city surrounded by the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

His words gain strength through his powerful, deep, and often somber voice—a highly expressive tone that perfectly complements his sharp, cutting lyrics.

With an Amazonian background but a "desire for the whole world," Victor Xamã brings a peculiar cosmopolitanism. He simultaneously pays reverence to his lived Amazonian experience while remaining untethered as he looks forward to the boundless "big world" ahead.

With two EPs (Cobra Coral 2020, Calor 2021) and two albums (Janela 2015, Garcia 2023), Victor Xamã has been gaining increasing recognition across Brazil. He recently performed at Rock in Rio, delivering a show celebrated by both the audience and critics.

In the track Calor, Victor Xamã, alongside another powerhouse of Amazonian hip-hop, Nic Dias from Pará, paints vivid and impactful imagery:"To Brazil, the North is invisible / a tour for foreigners / a playground for crime / the blind can’t see the real enemy."

Victor’s latest album features collaborations with Luedji Luna, Karen Francis, and Gabi Farias, with standout tracks including Oito Correntes, Pelas Ruas da Cidade, and Vigésimo Andar.

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Hi, I’m Felipe Cordeiro, singer, guitarist, and music producer from Pará (Amazon, Brazil), and I had the joy of being invited by Bossa to write this column about Brazilian popular music made in the Amazon. I hope we connect here and that the content I bring helps you dive into the extraordinary musical universe of northern Brazil. Let me guide you!

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CONCERTS AND EVENTS

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