Xangô da Mangueira formed in 1967 in the Mangueira favela of Rio de Janeiro. Their name references Xangô, the Yoruba god of thunder, which gives a sense of their musical approach. They worked with composers like Zé Keti and Wilson Baptista, and their recordings include songs such as 'Chico Jongueiro' and 'O Pagode Levanta Poeira'.
Their music often addressed social issues, which sometimes brought them into conflict with authorities during Brazil's military regime. The song 'Cadê Teresa' reportedly provoked particular outrage from the government. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, their work found an audience looking for music that spoke plainly about everyday struggles.
They released albums throughout the 1970s, including 'É' in 1970 and 'Scândalo' in 1972. Their sound incorporated elements from different styles, contributing to what some called samba-rock. Other tracks like 'Festa de Santo Antônio' and 'Perdi Minha Alegria' show the range of their recordings, from celebration to more personal reflection.
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