Their music mixed samba with rock, funk, and reggae, and their lyrics often addressed social issues like poverty and racial discrimination. This put them at odds with authorities, leading to censorship and harassment. In 1975, they were arrested for performing a song called "Pérolas de Òrún," which criticized the government's treatment of Afro-Brazilians.
Their early albums included Samba da Opinião (1974), Um Gosto de Sol (1975), and Canto Livre (1977). Songs like "Ladrão de Caneta," "Brasa Que Não Faz Fumaça," and "Greve Geral" carried their message through the late 1970s and into the 1980s, when they released another self-titled album in 1984.
"Pérolas de Òrún" became a defining song for the band, drawing inspiration from the Yoruba deity Òrún and celebrating Afro-Brazilian resilience. While their outspoken stance brought challenges, their music found listeners across different backgrounds during a repressive period.
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