No rap music please, we're Brazilians

Rio de janeiro The mayor of a Brazilian town has banned Carnival revellers from playing funk or rap music during the traditionally free-wheeling celebrations that will kick off around the country on Friday.

Mayor Jose Neto of Sao Lourenco in southeastern Minas Gerais state told Globo television he was banning songs that incite violence and disrespect authority and wanted to protect more traditional Carnival music, such as samba.

Anyone caught listening to Brazilian funk – a pounding beat often with sexual lyrics that grew out of Rio de Janeiro's slums – or rap during the Carnival period would have to turn it off or face arrest and up to six months in prison, he said. "They are mass gatherings that demand better co-ordination, control and security," Neto told Globo TV.

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