4REAL :: Mos Def

4REAL City of God

Mos Def in City of God

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4REAL City of God

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About City of God

Fast Facts

The City of God (Cidade de Deus) is a favela on the outskirts of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A favela is shanty town or slum commonly found on the edge of cities in Brazil.
1/3 of the population living in the City of God are under the age of 18.

Rio de Janeiro is home to over 6 million people, one third of whom live in favelas.

History of the City of God
The City of God was constructed in the 1960s to house the residents of 23 favelas in Rio de Janeiro’s city center. Favelas are the shanty towns and slums of Brazil. The City of God is one of Rio’s poorest and roughest favelas.

Carlos Lacerda, the mayor of Rio from 1960 to 1965, wanted to move the favela dwellers further away from Rio. Government officials set fire to many of the favela homes and forced the residents to move to the outskirts of the city. This outskirts area soon became known as the Cidade de Deus (City of God).

Today the City of God has a population of more than 120,000 people. About one third of the population is youth. Even to this day, this area continues to lack basic services and infrastructure. Many residences do not get regular access to water or sewage. Many of the new huts being built have open-air toilettes and can’t get service for electricity.

The drug trade in Brazil
The continent of South America is the world’s primary producer of cocaine. Brazil serves mainly as a transit country for cocaine to be exported. Rio de Janeiro, located on the eastern coast of Brazil, is a major exit point for the export of cocaine.

According to the Federal Police of Brazil about 20 percent of the cocaine that arrives in Rio de Janeiro is sold internally, that is, within the same city, or within Brazil. The trafficking of drugs in Brazil is operated by drug factions, also known as gangs. These drug factions are organized, armed gangs who dominate their favela communities. The drug gangs control the favela communities socially, politically and economically.

Territorial disputes between these gangs often lead to use of weapons and violence.

Youth and violence in the drug trade
Over the last three decades, youth involvement in the drug trade and in armed combat has increased dramatically. In 2002, an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 minors were working in Rio’s drug trade, according to Luke Dowdney, British anthropologist and founder of Luta Pela Paz Foundation, “Fight for Peace,” an urban violence prevention program for youth of Rio. In 2004, 422 minors were killed by firearms in Rio alone. The majority of these deaths were drug trade-related.

Traffickers are becoming more heavily armed and increasingly younger. From his in-depth case study on youth in the drug trade in Rio, Dowdney found that the average age of children entering the drug trade is about 13 years old.

The rich and the poor in Brazil
Poverty lies at the heart of the crisis. Brazil is not a poor country lacking resources but the disparity among the rich and the poor is vast and growing. According to data from Worldbank, the richest 20% of Brazilians received 61% of national income, while the poorest 20% only received 2.8% of the national income.

The poorest of the poor in Rio and other cities are marginalized into the favelas. In addition to classism there is the problem of racism. (In this context, classism refers to the systemtic oppression of poor people. Most often people with dark skin are poorer in Brazilian society). About one third of Rio’s population live in favelas and 75% of the favela population are black or part black.

The children of the favelas
Children in the favelas do not have access to good schools or useful vocational training. Due to extreme financial strains. they are often forced to find work at a young age to help support their families. Many end up dropping out of school to work. Without an education or training it is nearly impossible for them to find a decent job. Unfortunately, drug trafficking presents itself as one of the only options.

What is being done to help the youth of favelas?
Activists like hip hop star and community leader, MV Bill, have been dedicating themselves for years to improve the lives of the children of favelas. MV Bill believes that there are other options for youth. For example, by offering messages of hope through his music, youth presentations and his CUFA youth centers, MV Bill is showing young people that there are many other alternatives available to them.

What can I do?

Support groups like CUFA that focus on improving the lives and well being of youth living in favelas.
Watch and tell others about 4REAL City of God, featuring MV Bill.

Jordan White

Is there a way to watch 4Real City of God continuously?

12/21/2009 9:26:21 AM

????

Wilnelia Rivera Vallejo

Greatfulness & Graciousness

11/9/2008 2:50:11 PM

I just finished watching an episode of 4REAL…the one about the City of God and this messenger MV Bill. And all I kept thinking was….WOW….what a great thing for these people to be doing. WHAT A GOOD THING THEY ARE DOING! It always makes me so proud to see these beautiful artists…doing their thing…for all the right reasons. We need more people like MV Bill…we need more people like Mos Def…and we need more people like the creators of this show. What awesome things are happening. More and more people are becoming awake and aware…off ALL the possibilities…the best possibilities…the best of all people…it makes me want to share too. What can someone like me…a wife and mother of three…whose trying to ‘hold it down’…do for the good of the people. What role can I fill? I too, wanna do my part. I wanna live like these people...with greatfulness & graciousness. Peace, love and many, many blessings…Winnie

Jamaine Davis

Falscon

10/27/2008 6:12:53 PM

Mos Def is real! DOcumentary: Q. WHat if you die? A. If I die someone else like me will be born either better or worse than me. If I die. I'll rest. HOW PROFOUND IS THAT? Spoken by one of the young men in the documentary by MV Bill.

SANI

C.O.G

10/27/2008 12:07:39 PM

I THOUGHT IT WAS ALL BEAUTIFUL,TILL I SEEN THAT PART I READ IN 12TH GRADE THAT IT WAS PORE AND COULD'NT REALY FEEL IT TILL I WATCHED THAT NOW I KNOW WHAT'S HOOD IN RIO AND THE NICK NAME MY MAY GOD BE WITH YOU IN YOUR CITY MV BILL,STAY BLEESED

Audra S.

C.o.G

10/26/2008 6:31:30 PM

I wasn't completely into this show at first. But since the third episode i have caught up and seen every other one just about. This show is an impact at least to me!! To know that when i'm having a rough day their are so more going on in the world that are having it so much worse its insane to actually see it. By having these celebirties talk to and participate when going to these communities is inspiring. They feel and see their pain and they are just like everyone else. Having a day to day struggle trying to stay alive and just be. Get an education, or just having somewhere safe to go to put their natural talents to use and where they can feel appreciated so they can feel like there some future in it!! The City of God i've heard of it and Brazil one of the most violent country in the world...i didn't even think about that. So with that going on and a 100 deaths a day is brutal and no one should live like that. So having MV Bill setting up and getting kids into a positive way of living and giving them something that is theirs is an amazing thing. Good for him and the kids....!!!!

ALBERTO SCABBIA

bravo MV BILL !!!!

10/15/2008 9:53:58 AM

me too, I got problem with drug... people must know there is a solution. figth drugs!!! MV Bill , You're doin good work , and thanks to 4Real for let me know people like him. peace from Italy albee milano

Keeley Wilson

People like MV Bill

7/7/2008 9:33:35 AM

Watching how much the children love and cherish MV Bill speaks very highly of his character, it's amazing to watch someone do what they love and stay true to their country/city/community. MV uses his unlimited creativity for the better good of the children in the City of God, as well Brazil with the other hip-hop community centres, documentaries, and books.

cotearica

Hip-hop is an art that is of interest to children to do good things.

6/19/2008 2:26:31 PM

The school of hip hop and other arts is a very good thing for children, I think it is very positive that MV bill will help children, which borders action.

Melahnie Moodie

Brazil is one of the most violent countries in the world

5/28/2008 8:42:14 PM

I've spent a lot of time in Brazil as well and was shocked to find out that it was one of the most violent countries in the world. But here are the unfortunate facts: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime conducted a ten year study from 1993-2003 and compared Brazil to other countries including those who were going through civil wars and territory disputes (such as the middle east). Brazil was found to have the highest number of fatalities caused by fire-arms. (2005, UNDOC) www.unodc.org/pdf/brazil/COUNTRY%20PROFILE%20Eng.pdf As per an article written in the Washington Post, "Brazil has the highest number of firearms fatalities in the world, with more than 36,000 people shot dead last year, according to government figures." (Reel, 2005) "Crime does not affect all people in the same way. The risk of becoming a victim is influenced by age, gender, income and place of residence. For example, in Rio de Janeiro, tourist areas (such as Copacabana and Ipanema) have 5 homicides per 100,000 people similar to the safest cities in Europe. In the shanty towns (favelas), only 2 to 3 km away, homicides reach the rate of 150 per 100,000 people." (2005, UNDOC). So unless you are spending time in the favelas you won't see the violence that exists in Brazil.

TD 4real

Amazing

5/23/2008 11:41:09 PM

I loved it. but one thing thou.. they said at one point that Brazil is the most violent country in the whole world. what the hell ! we all know this is not true! what about middle east' countries? and plus i've been to Brazil many times and it's not like that... i mean its the reality but Brazil is a amazing country. truly rich and blessed. they are many more to see, to feel, to experience. I like what MV Bill is doing for his country, his people, his community. God bless him and Brazil.

Tenesha Moody

Question..?

5/13/2008 12:55:33 PM

I thought this segment of 4REAL was deeply moving. I wanted to know if there is any to get a DVD of the actual documentary by MV Bill?

Jo Mendes

MV Bill

4/11/2008 9:23:45 AM

Is wonderfull to see that we have in the world people like MV Bill... His cause is huge!! City of God, and those kids deserve to be helped and deserve to fight for a life of peace.. I believe that with a small step we can win the war.. i hope MV Bill never give up of it, and i hope that more people like him can transforme Brazil in a country of IGUALITY.

Sharline

MV Bill & Mos

3/7/2008 3:59:29 PM

I am so impressed by both MV Bill and Mos in this piece. MV Bill is this big, Brazilian hip hop dude, and yet he doesn't mind letting people see him cry. And Mos' ways with words stupefies me...watch the clip "Dream a Crazyass Dream" above and see what I mean. Poetry. He makes it look easy.

Sol

Hip Hop Heads of State: MV Bill & Mos Def

3/6/2008 12:32:48 PM

What can I say…Hip Hop is everything to me, its my culture and the glasses I see the world through. So to connect with Brazilian hip hop superstar MV Bill and to see how he's flipping his success to do good in the infamous City of God is something Mos Def and the world just had to see. Hit us up with thoughts.

Created by: Sol Guy, Josh Thome
Executive Producers: Chris Haddock, Laura Lightbown
Executive Producer: Joaquin Phoenix
Produced by: Shoshana Guy, Sol Guy, Josh Thome
Supervising Producer: Natasha Nystrom
Editor: Jesse James Miller

Director of Photography: James Liston
4REAL Theme Song by DJ Kemo & Don Cristo For Vanguard
All Music by Vanguard
Music Supervisor: Velma Barkwell

Host: Sol Guy
Directed by Shoshana Guy, Josh Thome
Written by Shoshana Guy
Production Coordinator Melahnie Moodie
Associate Producer Jade Thome

Produced in Association with CTV
Developed in Association with CTV
Produced with the participation of Government Of Canada

Production Accountant: Craig Stapleton
Additional Camera Operator Josh Thome

Location Sound Recordist: Eric Harwood Davies
Stills Photographer: Melahnie Moodie
Production Assistant: Christine Walker

Post Production Supervisor: Natasha Nystrom
Assistant Editor/Online Editor: Mark Shearer

Titling: David Robinson
Colorist: Ryan Hogan
Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer: Miguel Nunes
Sound Editors: Gina Mueller
Re-Recording Mixers: Miguel Nunes, Gord Hillier
Title Design & Graphics: Glasfurd & Walker/ Tx Post Production
Video Facility: Technicolor Creative Services Post Production
Sound Facility: Post Modern Sound

Insurance Provided by: Jones, Brown & Associates
Legal Services Provided by: Arthur Evrensel & Carol Horn of Heenan Blaikie Llp
for CTV Executive Producer MTV Ben Rotterman, VP of Production MTV Mark Mcinnis

Programming Administration Coordinator: Naomi Glenn-Baker
Director of Program Administration: Corrie Coe
VP of Documentaries: Bob Culbert
President, Creative, Content & Channels: Susanne Boyce

Stock Footage FALCAO documentary Courtesy of MV Bill Traficando Informacao;
MV Bill music video courstesy of MV Bill; Brad Barket/ Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images footage
courtesy of AP Images

Music Performed by Mos Def/Talib Kweli courtesy of Universal Music
Definition (Cottrel, Greene, Smith) published by DJ Hi Tek Music Publishing/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Medina Sounds Music/Pen Skills

Music Performed by Mos Def courtesy of EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Medina Sounds Music
The Boogie Man Song (Smith, Saadiq) published by EMI Blackwood Music Inc./Medina Sounds
Music Performed by MV Bill courtesy of Natasha Records
Emivi (MV Bill) published by Universal Music So Deus Pode Me Juglar (MV Bill) published by Universal Music

Special Thanks: Bell Media Fund, Ina Guy, Ngozi Paul, Rod Beckstrom, Heart Phoenix, Keith Porteus, Dennis & Diane Thome, Leora Gesser, Bobbie Ogletree, Pedro Lacaille, Maga Bo, DJ Pachu, Jayson Jackson Esthero, Rob Sebastian, Mclean Mashingaidze Greaves, Styling by Janet Han for Get Janet, Hats by Big It Up!, Denim By Diesel, William Richard Guy

4REAL City of God Extras

Video

Photos

About 4REAL City of God

The People

The Place

The Story

In 4REAL City of God, Sol Guy takes rap star and actor, Mos Def, into the infamous favela (slum), City Of God, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.

There they meet up with Brazil’s top rap artist MV Bill, himself the product of City of God, who has, over years, become an outspoken voice for the youth of the favelas. MV Bill shows Mos and Sol how he’s using hip hop to speak to young people and empower them with life and community skills, including classes in B-boying, video production, basketball, graffiti art, and theater.

"This is the place where we can realize our dreams and reduce a little bit of the sadness we have in the community,” MV Bill says.

While exploring the City, Mos Def and MV Bill discuss the transformative power of hip hop culture, with the help of a translator. (MV Bill speaks mostly Portuguese.)

On the final night of Mos’ visit, Mos and MV Bill prove once again how hip hop transcends language and culture, as they perform together in Rio before thousands of fans.

"Just coming here, it's like a reminder that, you know, you have to stay close to the people. Especially with hip hop. It’s a people’s movement," Mos says.

MV Bill
City of God, Brazil
Alex Pereira Barbosa, aka MV Bill, was the leader featured in 4REAL City of God. ...

Mos Def
New York, United States
Mos Def was featured in 4REAL City of God. He is regarded as one of hip-hop’s mos...

City of God, Brazil

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