Olodum’s presence in the Brazilian team’s World Cup matches is a certainty. Incorporated in 2002 in the tournament’s broadcasts, in response to a request by Galvão Bueno, who wanted regional attractions during the break between the games in Brazil, the group became part of the mystique of Brazilian football.
Get to know the history of Olodum and its connection with the national team.
History
Olodum was founded on April 25, 1979, as a carnival block, in Pelourinho, in Salvador, one of the most representative places of Afro-Brazilian culture in the country.
The block grew quickly amid the effervescence of black culture in the region it inhabited, filled with other blocks, which strengthened its music.
He released LPs in the 80s that spread his band across Brazil and the world — the group even toured Europe, South America and even Japan.
In the 90s, he recorded with artists such as Caetano Veloso, Pet Shop Boys, Jimmy Cliff and Michael Jackson.
The clip for “They Don’t Care About Us”, from the partnership between the king of pop and the group from Bahia, was recorded in Salvador, in Pelourinho, and in Morro Dona Marta, in Rio, by American director Spike Lee.
Brazilian Team
The connection with the selection began in 2002, in the Japan and Korea Cups. Galvão Bueno wanted regional attractions during the intervals between departures from Brazil. A journalist from TV Bahia, Wanda Chase, indicated the group, who watched the games gathered in Pelourinho.
Wanda, a black movement activist, had already participated in the group, and mediated the conversations. Thus, he debuted in Brazil’s first game in that Cup, against Turkey. But it wasn’t exactly Olodum that made the first appearance: who was there, just in case, was Didá, a female samba-reggae group.
They were the ones who started the drumming. Later, musicians from Olodum joined and closed the participation in the national transmission.
The broadcast caused the public to start gathering around the block to watch the games.
In an interview with UOL, João Jorge, president of the group, says that Olodum does not get paid for its appearances, and the relationship with Galvão is one of friendship — the band even played on his birthday.
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