The music video of the official theme song of 2016 Rio Olympics, “Alma e Coração” (Heart and Soul) was released by Som Livre on Sunday. The song performed by Samba star Thiaguinho and featuring rapper Projota is an ode to the host country of the Olympics. The catchy track was produced by Brazilian DJ duo Tropkillaz, and the lyrics are written by MC Léo da Baixada, Victor Reis and Rodrigo Marques.
The video kicks off with drumbeats set over stunning vistas of Rio, like Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Leblon beach the favela of Vidigal. It then shows the training regime of four young aspiring Brazilian athletes whose enthusiasm is infectious. One has to refer to the subtitles to understand the feel-good lyrics of the song, but it’s easy to get hooked on the catchy chorus. The spirit of the video will make anyone look forward to the mega event starting next month in Brazil.
The video features four children between 10 and 12 years old, whose stories have inspired the video. It includes 10-year-old footballer Antônio Marcelo Machado Corrêa, a boxer who belongs to the Vidigal favela community, a gymnast from Santa Teresa and a swimmer from Jardim Botânico. The video was also party filmed at the Olympic stadium.
Speaking about the music video and the message it puts across for the upcoming games, Projota was quoted by the Rio Olympic 2016 website: "We both chose the song,
"There are plenty more things that unite us than things that set us apart.
“It’s a song about overcoming a situation. It's about lifting your self-esteem, about running, fighting, making things happen.
Thiaguinho also added. "This song sounds like Brazil," he says. "It’s about fighting hard and giving your best, with your heart and soul.”
Thiaguinho comes from a family that is totally into sports, and he even dreamed once to become a football player. The 33-year-old singer’s parents are physical education teachers.
He also has a cousin, Mauro Vinícius Hilario Lourenço da Silva, also known as Duda, who will be competing in the long jump event in Rio 2016. Thiaguinho has also recorded with Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil and has high-profile friends like football superstar Neymar.
“Sport teaches us a lot of things," Thiaguinho added. "It gives people an equal opportunity to compete regardless of their financial situation. It teaches you that some days you win, some days you lose, just as in life."
