Hip-hop now cultural heritage of Paraíba state

Hip-hop culture in all its artistic manifestations was declared intangible cultural heritage of Paraíba state, in Northeast Brazil.

The art form comprises break dance, graffiti, rapping, MCs and DJs, slamming, beatboxing, among other elements.

The move aims to safeguard its representation, expression, knowledge, and techniques, in addition to cultural tools, objects, and places linked to communities and individuals who identify as members of the culture.

Jefferson Araújo dos Santos, coordinator with hip-hop group Roça City Breakers, from the city of Lagoa de Roça, in Paraíba, says the title is the first step toward greater recognition.

“I hope we hear good news this year and the next, as Breakers has bagged a spot in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. We’re no longer street dancers, we’ll be athletes! But we still see little support and poor knowledge about the dance and how the culture came to be,” he noted.

The new piece of legislation stipulates that any discriminatory, prejudiced, and disrespectful action—be it of a social, racial, cultural, or administrative nature—against the hip-hop movement are punishable under the law.