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The Murder of an Important Afro-Brazilian Cultural Figure Has Brazilians Reeling in Run-Up to Vote

Mestre Moa de Katendê—a capoeira master and advocate for Afro-Brazilians—was killed after saying he would not support hard-right candidate for president, Jair Bolsonaro.

Reginaldo Rosário da Costa, 63, entered his neighborhood bar last Sunday night to celebrate. His preferred candidate for President of Brazil, the center-left Fernando Haddad, had avoided a first-round defeat by the neo-fascist Jair Bolsonaro.

Locals knew Rosário as Mestre Moa de Katendê in his Salvador neighborhood. He was a capoeira master and he traveled around the world promoting Afro-Brazilian culture.

But not everyone was happy.

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Preta-Rara. Photo: Juh Guedes.

9 Afro-Brazilian Musicians You Need to Check Out

Black musicians & rappers like Preta Rara, Xênia Franca and Bia Ferreira are directly addressing oppression and racism in Brazil.

Brazil is undergoing a modern black movement in which young Afro-Brazilians are embracing their blackness and openly addressing racism. Afro-Brazilian artists are now expressing this movement through their music and fashion style. In a country where people—black and white—have been brainwashed to believe that racism doesn't exist, this is revolutionary.

Black musicians and rappers like Preta Rara, Xênia Franca and Bia Ferreira directly address oppression and racism in the lyrics of their music and wear clothes and makeup that highlight their blackness and African heritage. These aren't the musicians you'll see on Globo television, but they will easily pack a show in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or Salvador.

Below is a list of some Brazil's hottest conscious Afro-Brazilian musicians with, of course, a couple of bonus funk musicians. The list below doesn't include Liniker e os Cameloews, Karol Conka or Elza Soares because they have been featured before on OkayAfrica.

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The Seeds of Marielle: These Courageous Afro-Brazilian Women Are Running for State Office Despite the Odds

Here are 11 of the inspirational black women running for political office in Brazil's upcoming national elections.

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In Photos: The Ooni of Ife Visits Brazil

He came with an entourage of more than 80 people and wherever he went, Black Brazilians followed his every move.