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ROGE: We use the 16 - (imitating maracas).īROWN: Say it now. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "GET UP OFFA THAT THING") This is a good example, you know, because when I make this song, I think the guys play funk, like funk - like James Brown funk, you know? Can you talk about what is happening rhythmically when you are doing a traditional samba and when you're doing samba-funk? SHAPIRO: To take a step back from the conversation about your life and your move and talk a little bit more about the music, I was curious about the difference between samba and samba-funk. You know, if you are quiet and protection (ph), you - everybody - you have a chance to understand what the good direction to go because always life's testing you. SHAPIRO: "Existe Uma Voz" - I was just going to ask about that song. ROGE: I have the song for that in this album too - "Existe Uma Voz." So I thought to myself, whoa, this is going to be a big challenge, but maybe that's the - you have to hear your voice inside. And I look around, say, oh, LA is the only place in the world that I can change with Rio because LA has everything, you know? It has a chance to develop my career. Everything was bad after the Olympic games. ROGE: I do it because in Brazil we have a big crisis over there - economic crisis, political crisis, social crisis, security crisis. That song talk about - we have to always go forward because we have to believe in the life - you know? - because I was living that experience here when I arrived here. My brother, when I arrived here, was very tough. SHAPIRO: And I wondered if that describes your experience going from making music in Brazil to the United States. SHAPIRO: I did look up the English translation of these lyrics, and the first song, "Pra Vida," has a lyric that translates to, it doesn't matter if a door is closed, there's always an opened window. And I really want to mix it with that culture here. I'm just a guy to love music and just love my culture, Brazilian culture. ROGE: Tommy bring all the angle, all the vision for the music, and that's what I'm always looking for.
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He worked closely with producer Tommy Brenneck, who's collaborated with Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and more. It's Brazilian samba influenced by American funk. SHAPIRO: "Curyman" became the title of Roge's new album, his first produced and recorded in the U.S. And the guys - what's your last name? My last name is Cury. And while he was recording in LA with some hip-hop artists, the man who was born Roger Jose Cury found a new identity.
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SHAPIRO: He moved to LA a few years ago after releasing eight albums in Brazil. ROGE: Yes, it's a little cliche, but when we were out from Brazil, we can look to our culture with - in a big picture, you know? I think I'm feel more Brazilian here. Well, whatever the reason, musician Roge says nothing makes him feel more like a native son of Rio de Janeiro than working in Los Angeles. Maybe it's the world-famous beaches with mountains on the horizon in both cities.
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