Tecnomacumba returns to Little Africa on Jan 31

Tecnomacumba takes over Rio’s Little Africa on Jan 31 with a street parade blending sacred chants, MPB classics and electronic beats led by Rita Benneditto.The Tecnomacumba street bloco is back for its 3rd edition, turning Rio’s Port Zone into a drum-driven celebration rooted in Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous ancestry. On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the parade moves through Little Africa with a clear message: Carnival can be memory, identity and joy at the same time.Gathering starts at 4 pm at Rua Barão de Tefé, 74, in Gamboa—an address deeply tied to the African diaspora in Brazil. From there, the procession unfolds with music, dance, spirituality and cultural resistance at the core of the experience.

Little Africa at the center

Born from Rita Benneditto’s acclaimed Tecnomacumba project, the bloco’s sound is a bold collision: Candomblé and Umbanda chants meet iconic MPB songs, powered by electronic beats, guitars and a contemporary pop language made for the streets.The setlist converses with the work of Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Jorge Ben Jor while keeping the ritual energy intact. As a result, the crowd doesn’t just listen—people move together, turning the street into a shared space of attention and release.

Rita Benneditto and guest artists

Leading the parade, Rita Benneditto performs with her band Cavaleiros de Aruanda. The 2026 edition expands its artistic and community reach, strengthening ties with artists and collectives focused on preserving Afro-Brazilian cultural expressions.Confirmed special guests include Filhas de Gandhy, Tereza Seiblitz, Mariana Pinho and Suzana Nascimento, plus Ciganas do Centro de Cultura Única and Cia Brasileira de Mystérios Novidades, Júlia Dutra and Aline Babalakina.

Tradition, invention, and the street

After a standout debut in 2024—when an Afro-rooted procession captivated crowds in Little Africa—the Tecnomacumba street bloco returns as one of Rio’s most distinctive Carnival experiences. This year, it deepens the conversation between heritage and innovation, without losing the party’s pulse.At a time when Afro-Brazilian spiritual traditions don’t always find space in public programming, Tecnomacumba insists on visibility with respect and beauty. The parade keeps Carnival’s festive spark, while also creating a moment of reverence that points toward futures built on living culture.

About Rita Benneditto

Rita Benneditto is widely recognized as one of the leading artists of her generation. She began her career in São Luís at 15, performed at international festivals, won awards such as the Brazilian Music Award, and in 2000 toured 20 U.S. cities to promote “Pérolas aos Povos,” distributed by Putumayo World Music—work that led to a Grammy Awards (43rd) nomination in the pop rock album category.With nine albums and multiple singles, she reached even broader audiences through “Tecnomacumba,” described as a cultural intervention and a manifesto of Brazilian identity. The project has been documented in two CDs, a DVD and the single “7Marias,” which has surpassed 5 million views on YouTube, and celebrated 20 years in 2023.Her recent releases include “Rita Benneditto convida Jaime Alem” and the show “Samba de Benneditto.” In 2026, she continues celebrations of 23 years of Tecnomacumba, stages the bloco’s third Rio Carnival edition, and presents the exhibition “Canto, Cores e Telas – Tecnomacumba pelo Traço de Fernando Mendonça,” alongside the “Samba de Benneditto” project.

Credits

Concept and General Direction: Rita BennedittoGeneral Coordination and Production Direction: Elza RibeiroMusic Direction: Fred Ferreira and Rita BennedittoArt Direction: Ciro BarcelosMusicians: Fred Ferreira (guitar, vocals); Humphry Scott (bass, vocals); Ronaldo Silva (drums, electronic programming, vocals); André Siqueira (percussion); Junior Crispin (percussion)Special Guests: Filhas de Gandhy, Tereza Seiblitz, Mariana Pinho and Suzana Nascimento, plus Ciganas do Centro de Cultura Única and Cia Brasileira de Mystérios Novidades, Júlia Dutra and Aline BabalakinaDJ Set: DJ BietaSound Technician and Technical Production: Daniel WallyRoadie: Eduardo RamosExecutive Production: Alessa Fernandes and Júlio LuzCostume (Rita Benneditto): Luiz MartinsCostume (Band): Sustenta CarnavalHair and Makeup: Luiz MartinsGraphic Design: Philippe LeonSocial Media: LB Digital e Conteúdo and Fernanda PortellaProduced by: Elza Ribeiro Produções

Service

BLOCO TECNOMACUMBA – 3rd EditionJanuary 31, 2026 (Saturday)Gathering at 4:00 pmRua Barão de Tefé, 74 – GamboaPhoto: Karen Eppinghaus, Luiz Behring and Gutemberg Brito