Djeison Lumi is a beacon of light illuminating the creativity of the Cabo Verdean diaspora abroad. Originally from Praia, Lumi has been rocking the Cabo Verdean rap game for over half a decade. One of his first hits “Nha Cidade,” released in 2019, gained much popularity amongst Cabo Verdeans living in and abroad.
New England is home to a massive Cabo Verdean diaspora, which is not surprising considering there are more Cabo Verdeans living abroad than in Cabo Verde. Last year, even President José Maria Neves visited a school in Boston and spoke at a Cabo Verdean community event. In “Nha Cidade,” Lumi swiftly spits around fast-paced, drill-infused beats reflecting on his time in Boston in comparison to Cabo Verde. The music video is set with various sceneries from local parks in Boston along with other Cabo Verdeans living in the area.
Djeison Lumi’s most recent hit, “MO NA BRASIL,” transports his fans to another location where the Cabo Verdean connection is unbreakable: the streets of Brazil. Here, Lumi reflects on the vibrant cultural similarities between life in Praia, Cabo Verde, and the favelas of Brazil. There are several comparisons drawn between the cultures, with different scenes of the “churrasco” Brazilian barbecue and the actors repping Brazilian soccer jerseys and commenting on the sport’s importance in the song.
The Lusophone connection is incredibly potent, internationally transpiring borders through pop culture, music, food, sport, and more. Lumi’s music is helping the bond grow even more powerful, with “MO NA BRASIL” being an ideal example.
The song does, however, mention and somewhat glorify the criminal ways of favela gangs in Brazil, which has recently led to increasing security concerns in major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Lumi’s squad in the music video brandish their weapons and flaunt their gang-inspired lifestyles. This is one aspect that underscores a deeper trend prevalent in Lusophone rap culture: the glorification of the favela and of the crime gangs deeply entrenched in favela culture. Many Brazilian rappers have romanticized the poverty and crime that run rampant in favelas, which are systemic issues sown into the socio-political fabric of Brazil. Favelas are a product of many things: political mismanagement, marginalization, low social welfare, violence, and corruption.
Rappers in the Lusophone world can continue to show the good sides of the favela lifestyle, however, I personally think it could be even more powerful to use their platforms to bring light to the systemic issues and drivers of poverty and crime in Brazil. This can, in turn, inspire social progress amongst favela communities instead of romanticizing some of the issues that are most pervasive in Brazilian society.
Overall, Lumi’s music is energetic and explores the deeper connections in the Lusophone world. From Cabo Verde to Boston to Brazil, Lumi continues to make a mark for future generations of Luso rap.
