Rap é Compromisso
Sabotage
2001
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Rap é Compromisso, the debut album by the visionary artist Sabotage, is a singular work of inestimable value for Brazilian culture, notably for being the only work released by the rapper during his lifetime. Initially released in 2000 by Cosa Nostra, a label belonging to Racionais MCs, this record established itself as an unavoidable milestone, defining sounds and narratives that resonated deeply within the country's musical landscape. Its essence lies in the authenticity and poetic rawness with which Sabotage portrayed the reality of the favelas, elevating the voices and experiences of a forgotten part of society. With an organic fusion of rhythms and rhymes, the album presents a style that transcends the genre, weaving a complex and multifaceted tapestry of urban experiences. Sabotage's lyrics, laden with keen social observation and powerful lyricism, transformed the record into a mirror of the Brazilian soul, clamouring for attention and respect through his art.
Recording
The album Rap é Compromisso was meticulously conceived over eight months, with production handled by a heavy-hitting team that included Tejo Damasceno, Daniel Ganjaman, Zegon, and DJ Cia. Recordings were carried out under the aegis of Cosa Nostra Fonográfica, ensuring an environment conducive to the materialisation of Sabotage's artistic vision. Tejo Damasceno and Quincas Moreira were responsible for recording and co-production, whilst mixing, also conducted by Tejo Damasceno, was finalised at Estúdio Y-B, which also carried out the mastering, the latter with the contribution of Benoni Hubmaier. Executive production was handled by Cosa Nostra Fonográfica itself.
Songs
The work presents a rich sonic tapestry, punctuated by various collaborations that enriched its texture and reach. Names such as Negra Li, Black Alien, Sombra e Bastardo, Cascão, Rappin' Hood, Potencial 3, RZO, and Chorão, from Charlie Brown Jr., lent their voices and talents to various tracks on the album. Furthermore, Mariana Ximenes and Paulo Miklos provided additional vocals, further expanding the artistic spectrum of the record. The composition of the tracks stands out for the strategic use of samples, which add layers of meaning and reverence to other works. Notable examples include "Rap É Compromisso", which samples Shirley Bassey's "Diamonds Are Forever"; "Um Bom Lugar", with samples from Baseado Nas Ruas' "Apocalipse"; and "No Brooklin", which incorporates excerpts from Paradox's "Backing Track No. 30" and Naughty By Nature's "Jamboree". The track "Cocaína" brings samples from Racionais MCs' "Capítulo 4, Versículo 3", whilst "Na Zona Sul" uses The Stylistics' "It's Too Late". "Respeito É Para Quem Tem" samples Facção Central's "Desculpa Mãe" and John Barry's "Diamonds Are Forever", and "País da Fome" incorporates Michel Coliccio's "Ebony Tower". Finally, "Cantando Pro Santo" makes use of samples from Jackie Mittoo's "Oboe".
Legacy
The repercussion of Rap é Compromisso was overwhelming, solidifying it as a cornerstone of national rap. The album reached an impressive mark of 1,734,461 copies sold, a tremendous success that earned it Triple Diamond certification from the Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos, today known as Pró-Música. This commercial performance and the depth of its message guaranteed Rap é Compromisso a captive place in the history of Brazilian music. It is widely considered one of the most important and influential albums in the history of rap in Brazil, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and shape new generations of artists and listeners.
Tracks
Podcasts
Babblin' Bangers · Felipe Beraldi
Babbled about punk and Brazilian rap, but not necessarily in that order.
Até o Amanhecer · Lucky Boy
Hoje eu fiz uma análise do rapper sabotage e do seu álbum o rap é compromisso essa foi só minha opinião se você discorda tudo bem :)
Books
Álbum 4 - 1994 a 2025
Pedro Alexandre Sanches · 2025
This volume is part of a series that narrates the history of Brazilian music through its most significant albums, covering the period from 1994 to 2025. Given the impact and relevance of "Rap é Compromisso" in the Brazilian music scene, it is highly probable that the album will be analysed in depth in this context.
A República Dos Poetas De Rua
Rodrigo Ornellas Sardinha · 2025
The book explores the journey of hip-hop from the Bronx to the outskirts of Brazil, highlighting its function as a language of resistance, identity, and affection. The work reconnects legends and new voices of rap, preserving rhymes and transforming improvisation into memory, which makes it highly relevant for the study of an icon like Sabotage and his album "Rap é Compromisso".
Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The largest Brazilian music election ever conducted: 162 specialists, spanning journalists, critics, musicians, producers and podcasters, each nominated 50 essential albums, supported by a masterlist of more than 2,000 works. Led by Ricardo Alexandre with tabulation by Sérgio Jomori, it was published in December 2022 as a 200-page hardcover book with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Analyses
Rap é Compromisso – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Rap é compromisso by Sabotage - Linernotd
linernotd.com
Released in 2001. Primary genres: Conscious Hip Hop, Boom Bap. Released shortly before his tragic murder, this album solidified Sabotage as a legendary...
Blog do Brenno: Analisando Discografias - Sabotage
obrenno.blogspot.com
In 2001, Sabotage released his debut album, the sensational Rap É Compromisso. The journey of Maestro do Canão began around 1989, and from a very early age he was already rhyming, participating in Rap contests.
"Rap É Compromisso": Obra-Prima de Sabotage Completa 25 Anos de ...
jornaldorap.com.br
The album "Rap É Compromisso", the only studio work released by Sabotage during his lifetime, celebrates its 25th anniversary, solidifying its status as an undeniable classic that maintains its sound and message as extremely current.
Entrevista: O rap é compromisso - e Sabotage entendia muito bem isso
masticadoresbrasil.wordpress.com
Sabotage's first and only album is O rap é compromisso (2001) - released by the independent label of Racionais MC's -, which was a success and became one of the most important of its genre in the country.
