At last, a group with a social agenda that doesn’t make me want to puke.

While so many artists showed themselves up as hypocrites and played Live Earth (surely the best thing for our planet would be not to hold another energy-consuming festival), AfroReggae have made a name for themselves by helping kids get out of the drugs trade and into more wholesome activities. This on its own is commendable, but their music is also quite impressive.

AfroReggae - while the name suggests otherwise - is actually closer to hip-hop although the band aren’t afraid to show a bit of diversity, with Partida showing a more sensitive sound for the band and Haiti being the only song with reggae overtones.

The jingly guitars and percussion both makes this very clear. Other parts of the album touch upon several different genres from samba to funk, leaving a mixed yet fulfilling listen.

The only thing I regret about this record is not being able to understand 95% of it. There is a very rare glimpse of English on the first track, Nenhum motivo explica a guerra, and the rest is almost exclusively Portuguese.

Unfortunately I feel as if I’m missing the full impact of the music, as I can’t listen to it in context. Hip-hop has always been very lyrical and subjective, and to miss out on this integral part of the music means that fans overseas won’t “get” the music as much as those who understand the lyrics.

However, from the English in the first track and the band’s agenda it’s clear that the band’s message is very positive – one of peace, love and helping one’s community. Favela Uprising is listener friendly for all, proving that some current hip-hop isn’t all about incessantly mentioning blunts and bitches.

For the average music lover, the foreign lyrics may be a deterrent, but those who aren’t bothered by such things should give AfroReggae a whirl. You never know, you might just enjoy it.