Attraction at the Favelas Museum, Rationais Show is a Journey for Fans and Those Wishing to Learn

by Ahmed Hassan September 14, 2025

written by Ahmed Hassan September 14, 2025

Key Takeaways

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The Fifth Element exhibit at Favelas Museum highlights the career and social impact of Brazilian hip-hop group Racionais MCs, led by Mano Brown, with free admission for visitors.
The exhibition delves into Mano Browns roots in Liberdade, his artistic development with fellow band members, and addresses the prejudice they faced in the 1990s.
Visitors can explore personal memorabilia, segments from a Netflix documentary about the group, key works like albums and singles, and learn about their African heritage and references to the Joker in their recent work.
The exhibit is curated by Eliane Dias and features collaborations with other artists and organizations, including a permanent display on the War of Canudos and an interactive game, Relógio do Inferno.

Explore Racionais MCs and Mano Brown at The Favelas Museum’s ‘Fifth Element’ Exhibit

The Favelas Museum is currently hosting “The Fifth Element,” an exhibit dedicated to Racionais MCs and their lead singer, Mano Brown (Pedro Paulo Soares Pereira). Admission to the exhibit is free. The exhibition delves into Mano Brown’s origins in Liberdade, a historically Black neighborhood in São Paulo, and traces his artistic development in Capão Redondo alongside fellow band members Edi Rock, KL Jay, and Ice Blue. Visitors can explore segments from the Netflix documentary about the group, view personal memorabilia from the members, and learn about their African heritage. The exhibit also addresses the prejudice Racionais MCs faced in the 1990s, when their music was often labeled as “criminal sound” due to its themes and the band’s social class. Within immersive booths, the exhibition showcases key works such as the album Racionais MCs (1994), Sobrevivendo no Inferno, and singles like “Fim de Semana no Parque” (1993). A dedicated section highlights Josemir Prado, a survivor of the Carandiru massacre, whose experiences inspired the lyrics of “Diário de um Detento” (A Prisoner’s Diary). Furthermore, the exhibit clarifies the symbolism present in the group’s more recent work, including references to the Joker.

Celebrating 35 Years of Racionais MCs’ Impact at ‘The Fifth Element’ – Favelas Museum Exhibit

Eliane Dias curated the exhibition, which commemorates 35 years of Racionais MCs’ impact, with assistance from Andre Caramante, Jairo Malta, Vitinho RB, Atelier Marko Brajovic, and Villanismo. Boogie Naipe managed the strategic partnerships for the event. Adjacent to “The Fifth Element,” the Favelas Museum features a permanent display on the War of Canudos, illustrating how favelas were historically formed when soldiers did not receive their promised housing. For an interactive experience, visitors can also play Relógio do Inferno (Hell Clock), a game available on Steam. The exhibit offers a comprehensive look into the enduring cultural significance of Racionais MCs.