Sounds of AfroReggae

This guy / this group risked much to help their community. A chaotic gun-totting shantytown where gang fights were a part of everyday life. Youths needed to belong. The only way then was to join a gang - they had 2 routes - to kill or be killed. Jose was angry seeing his people dying every day. The fear that eclipsed his village day after day. He wanted to voice his frustrations, he wanted to speak up for his people. Jose snapped after police killed 21 people in the favela, Vigario Geral, in 1993. He set up a reggae band and wrote songs that gave a voice to his frustrations - this was the beginning of AfroReggae. Jose's wife was so afraid because AfroReggae was sandwiched between the gangs and the police. But it was what Jose wanted to do. AfroReggae was much loved by the people. The music tore through the dark cloud of violence, giving light to dance and singing. Youth AfroReggae bands were set up. Boys that were in the gangs deflected to AfroReggae instead. Boys who needed to belong - now had a choice. They did not NEED to join a gang. There is a better option. The underlying principle for AR was no drugs. So the music not only kept the youths away from violence but also from drugs. This Jose fellow is simply inspirational and he was focused. Determined to help the community he so loved. Watching the documentary made me ball my eyes out - the music was great, the heart even greater. AR was eventually signed up by Sony (cant recall) and they donated a huge portion of proceeds back to Vigario Geral. Remoulding the future of this favela. It was weeks ago since i watched the documentary, yeps... but the images still stay, giving youths a choice to live.