Rhythms of Resistance London

Whilst people often refer to us as a ''Samba Band'' we actually have more affinity with the Afro Bloc parading drum bands that emerged in the mid 70s in Salvador da Bahia in Brazil. Bands such as He Aye and Olodum formed as a political expression of black awareness, resisting economic exclusion. Coming out of some of the poorest urban communities, Afro blocs became a mobilising focus on picket lines and marches. As they put it, they played as "a force of resistance and source of self confidence." The growth of Schools of Samba both in Brazil and all over the world since the 80''s, is largely a result of the commercialisation of this culture of resistance. Rhythms of Resistance formed as part of the UK Earth First action against the IMF in Prague in September 2000.