From father to son, Faraoh Records is a producer and studio in Curitiba (PR) that serves around ten black artists from Paraná. Recently, the space also began hosting shows and events aimed at black youth on weekends, as well as courses focused on independent music production.
Luan dos Santos, known as Lulo, and his partner Gabriel have been in charge of Faraoh Records since 2018 and, despite the racist persecutions they report suffering in the city, they want to expand the space, as the objective is to spread the art of black youth, with emphasis on hip hop.
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The story of Faraoh Records begins with Lulo’s father, who, in 2013, went from being an employee to becoming the owner of the record label. In 2018, Luan started living with his father at the record company and, there, every weekend, he and friends — including his current partner — listened to and composed rap. When the Covid-19 pandemic was declared, Lulo’s father decided to leave and, thus, the record label began to be managed by his son.
“It was at that point that Gabriel and I started managing the record label. In 2022, we moved to a bigger house, in Centro Cívico, with more space, and expanded the work with the sponsorship of Budweiser, currently serving around ten artists, all local, from Curitiba”, he says. In addition to the artists, Lulo mentions that the team is 90% black professionals. “We strive for appreciation in all senses of raciality,” he says.
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Lulo, owner of Faraoh Records / Disclosure
Racist persecutions
At the beginning of 2023, also together with artists who gathered at the label, they started holding parties on weekends and courses aimed at independent artists. Despite the joy they report experiencing as they see the space increasingly occupied and fulfilling their objective, they also began to suffer racist persecution.
“In May, at a first party that took place during the hours respecting the Law of Silence, from 5pm to 10pm, the police arrived there at the end because of complaints. But he checked that everything was fine and nothing happened. Soon after, we held a Baile Charme, also at the same time, but then the police arrived in the middle of the event with great brutality. They asked for a permit, saw that everything was ok, but ended the party”, says Lulo.
In July, after a meeting of black teachers from a course that would be held in the space, the Urban Planning Sector of the City of Curitiba went to the house to check the permit. “They also said that they came because of complaints and asked for some changes to the permit, which has already been resolved,” he said.
In August of this year, there was another difficulty on the way when the Real Estate Agency asked for the house again. “Now, we are looking at the legal issue because we made several improvements to the place and the contract. Initially, it was like an indefinite period. But this is all part of this persecution of structural racism in the city”, he mentions.
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Struggle to consolidate space
Despite the difficulties, Lulo says he wants to fight to keep the space at the same address. But, if it doesn’t happen, he wants support from the community to be able to continue the work and consolidate Faraoh Records as a space focused on black art, with an emphasis on hip hop.
“We want to tell our story, so that more and more people support us. And so that our artists don’t need to leave the city to seek recognition”, says Lulo. He also says he is seeking help from parliamentarians to provide support and mentions federal deputy Carol Dartora (PT) and state deputy Renato Freitas (PT).
Faraoh Records provides artists, in addition to the space, with all the structure and advice so they can record their music. Leticia dos Santos is one of the artists advised by Faraoh and says that the space was essential for following the path of music.
“Fharaoh was essential for me to be able to start my career and follow a path that matches what I want. I really embraced the references and ideas that my producer Gabriel Viana brought. It has been very important, also because of the opportunity I have to have easy access to a studio, with equipment and excellent music production, as well as the space to perform at events that we organize there,” he says.
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Leticia dos Santos is one of the artists advised by Faraoh / Personal archive
Source: BdF Paraná
Editing: Lia Bianchini
