SÃO PAULO – Cris, a 20-year-traditional geography student at the University of São Paulo (USP), navigates a stark social divide each day on her commute from Cidade Tiradentes to the financial center of Avenida Faria Lima. Her daily journey, documented in reporting this week, highlights how young Brazilians are using music to negotiate identity and belonging in a city marked by deep socioeconomic contrasts.
Cris works as a museum monitor while studying. She describes Cidade Tiradentes as a vibrant community, “pulsing with life,” where residents gather in the streets to socialize and skate at night. In contrast, Faria Lima is perceived as a “white center,” a financial district where she feels a sense of distance in everyday interactions. This difference, she explains, consciously shapes her musical choices during her commute.
While traveling by bus, Cris initially listens to Pink Floyd, observing the cityscape. Upon arriving in Faria Lima, she switches to the music of Racionais MC’s and Facção Central. “When I distance myself from the periphery, I want to return to it, so I listen to rap; I try to bring it back, to transform this environment into the place I belong,” she stated, adding that the music helps “dilute the hate” she sometimes encounters. She uses the music as a way to reinforce her identity in a space where she doesn’t sense fully integrated.
This practice is not unique to Cris. Researchers in urban ethnography are analyzing similar strategies employed by young people in São Paulo, examining how music influences their interpretation and experience of the city. Karina Malachias Domingos dos Santos, a doctoral candidate at the State University of Paulista (Unesp) and Arthur Magon Whitacker, a professor at the same university, have been studying these “peripheral narratives” and how everyday subjects experience urban life.
Their research, and other accounts gathered, reveal a complex reality beyond the often-portrayed image of insecurity in peripheral neighborhoods. Marta, a 42-year-old sales assistant living in Jardim Colonial, describes her days as defined by lengthy commutes on public transportation, limiting her free time. Inácio, a social project coordinator and driver, similarly spends a significant portion of his day traveling. Researchers have termed this reality the “peripheral condition,” characterized by extensive distances and limited access to services.
Despite the challenges, residents emphasize the strength of community networks. Joana, a visual arts educator, runs cultural activities both in the periphery and at the Fábrica de Cultura, highlighting the role of local networks in supporting educational and artistic projects.
Professor Dante, observing the city from the elevated rail line, describes São Paulo as a “patchwork quilt” of stories and memories in the eastern zone. However, other testimonies, like that of Guta, acknowledge the presence of violence and insecurity as part of the urban experience.
The case of Cris, according to researchers, exemplifies a personal strategy for coping with perceived discrimination. Her deliberate shift in music based on location connects to the concept of “rhythmanalysis,” which explores the relationship between sound, space, and daily life. By using music, Cris maintains a symbolic connection to Cidade Tiradentes while navigating Faria Lima.
The Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP) is currently planning the installation of a new campus in Cidade Tiradentes, with construction expected to commence within 120 days, following an initial investment of R$ 20 million. A second public hearing to gather community input on the courses offered is scheduled for July 17th. The federal government has announced a total of 12 new IFSP units.
