Friday Funny: Brazil Mayor Fights the Funk

Posted by: Nate Berg

12 February 2010 - 2:00pm

Due to its pounding beat and often sexual themes, funk music has been banned from Carnival by the mayor of a small Brazilian town.

"Mayor Jose Neto of Sao Lourenco in southeastern Minas Gerais state told Globo television he was banning songs that incite violence and disrespect authority and wanted to protect more traditional Carnival music, such as samba.

Anyone caught listening to funk -- a pounding beat often with sexual lyrics popular in Rio de Janeiro's slums -- or rap during the Carnival period would have to turn it off or face arrest and up to six months in prison, he reportedly said."

The Brazilian Carnival begins today -- with funk or without.

Full Story: Brazil mayor bans funk, rap music as Carnival begins

Source: Reuters, February 12, 2010