São Luís: The Reggae Capital of Brazil
São Luís is Brazil's reggae capital — a 1970s love affair with Jamaican roots reggae grew into a massive culture of sound systems (radiolas), weekly dances, and a distinct Maranhense reggae style that has nothing to do with Brazil's coastline stereotype
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Radio sound systems
Radiola — a tall speaker sometimes 4 meters high — is the instrument of São Luís reggae culture; the weekly sound system parties in the city's working-class neighborhood are among Brazil's most distinctive music events
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Roots Reggae Tradition
São Luís' reggae scene is roots-focused — Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Burning Spear are worshiped here with an intensity unusual outside of Jamaica; the city received reggae LPs via ship from the Caribbean before the rest of Brazil
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Praia Grande Reggae Bars
The historic center's Praia Grande area has a cluster of reggae bars open on weekend nights — the combination of colonial tiled facades, high-volume roots reggae and cold beer is uniquely São Luís
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Reggae and Afro-Maranhense Identity
São Luís's reggae culture is intertwined with Afro-Marahense identity — the music came to communities with strong African heritage and became a marker of cultural pride and resistance in the city's working-class areas
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Maranhense Reggae Artists
São Luís has produced its own reggae artists — Edson Gomes and the local radiola DJs who blend Jamaican roots with Maranhense rhythms; The São Luís sound system scene has influenced reggae culture in Brazil
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Festival do Reggae
The annual São Luís Reggae Festival – held in the historic city center – attracts international artists and massive local audiences; the event is one of the largest reggae festivals in America outside of Jamaica