Everything was bad after the Olympic games. ROGÊ: I do it because in Brazil we have a big crisis over there - economic crisis, political crisis, social crisis, security crisis. That song talk about - we have to always go forward because we have to believe in the life - you know? - because I was living that experience here when I arrived here. My brother, when I arrived here, was very tough. SHAPIRO: And I wondered if that describes your experience going from making music in Brazil to the United States. SHAPIRO: I did look up the English translation of these lyrics, and the first song, 'Pra Vida,' has a lyric that translates to - it doesn't matter if a door is closed, there's always an opened window. And I really want to mix it with that culture here. I'm just a guy to love music and just love my culture, Brazilian culture. ROGÊ: Tommy bring all the angle, all the vision for the music, and that's what I'm always looking for. He worked closely with producer Tommy Brenneck, who's collaborated with Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and more. It's Brazilian samba influenced by American funk. SHAPIRO: 'Curyman' became the title of Rogê's new album, his first produced and recorded in the U.S. And the guys - what's your last name? My last name is Cury. And while he was recording in LA with some hip-hop artists, the man who was born Roger Jose Cury found a new identity. SHAPIRO: He moved to LA a few years ago after releasing eight albums in Brazil. ROGÊ: Yes, it's a little cliche, but when we were out from Brazil, we can look to our culture with - in a big picture, you know? I think I'm feel more Brazilian here. Well, whatever the reason, musician Rogê says nothing makes him feel more like a native son of Rio de Janeiro than working in Los Angeles. Maybe it's the world-famous beaches with mountains on the horizon in both cities.

Samba de janeiro lyrics translation