It’s a city that seemingly has everything: The venues, the DJs, the audiences. RA’s Joao Anzolin tells the story of one of Brazil’s key clubbing capitals.

Every city has a small group of striking features that can make it, if not unique, special. Few cities, however, have so many striking features that the diversity itself is the main attraction. Sao Paulo is among this select group. With more than 20 million people in its metropolitan area, Sao Paulo comprises a truly unique and special mosaic.

The city is known as Latin America’s financial center, and is often seen as a kind of antithesis to Rio de Janeiro. Unlike Rio, the most interesting attractions aren’t the natural landscapes. Sao Paulo is resolutely urban. It’s impossible not to observe the chaotic streets, which are dominated by motorcyclists riding at top speed, honking and weaving their way through cars. The popular image of a citizen of Sao Paulo in Brazil is closer to the workaholic stereotype.

As a result, Sao Paulo’s biggest attraction is the people, and what comes with it. The city was built by huge groups of immigrants who, in the past 100 years, moved from countries like Italy, Japan, Portugal and Lebanon. Today, the city boasts some of the largest expatriate communities from those countries. Spaniards, Germans, Africans, Koreans and of course, Brazilians and South Americans of all backgrounds, have joined many other groups to form a truly cosmopolitan environment.

Due to its geographic position, Sao Paulo is far from where typical Brazilian rhythms like axe, forro, samba or even bossa nova began. An old national joke refers to the city as the “tomb” of samba. Unlike other cities, though, this has meant that Sao Paulo has taken influence from outside the country as well as inside. It wouldn’t be unfair to say that Sao Paulo has inherited the role of the country’s main cultural center, housing artists, musicians and bands from all parts of Brazil.

Source: http://www.residentadvisor.net

Brazil – Clubbing in São Paulo