Serei A (part. Linn da Quebrada)

The song 'Serei A' by Linn da Quebrada, featuring Liniker, is a powerful ode to the resistance and freedom of Black trans women in Brazil’s urban centers. The title 'Serei A' carries a powerful pun in Portuguese: while it translates to 'I'll be the one', it phonetically resembles the word 'sereia' ('mermaid'). This clever wordplay immediately introduces the song’s themes of identity, transformation, and self-affirmation, blending mythology with personal and political expression.

The figure of the asphalt mermaid is central to the song, symbolizing seduction, danger, and, above all, freedom. Traditionally associated with the sea, the mermaid is transported to the asphalt, representing the lived experiences of those who face the hardships and dangers of the city, yet refuse to give up their fight for autonomy and dignity. The asphalt mermaid becomes the queen of the moonlight, a figure who, despite adversity, keeps her head held high and continues to navigate—or rather, to 'travecar'.

The verb 'travecar' is a reappropriated neologism based on 'traveco', a term historically used pejoratively to refer to trans and travesti women. In the song, it is reclaimed and transformed into a verb of movement and resistance—turning the act of simply existing and persisting into a political gesture of defiance and pride.

The repetition of phrases like 'Deixa que lave, que leve, que livre, que love, que lute' ('Let it wash, let it take, let it free, let it love, let it fight') suggests a continuous cycle of struggle and renewal. The song is a call for resilience, for the continuation of the fight, and for the unwavering pursuit of self-love and freedom. Its message is clear: no matter what happens, we must keep navigating, keep 'travecando', keep crossing, always with our heads held high and our spirits unbroken.