Creator studio
Small Steps from Brazil’s Big Streets
Energetic flow, passion, and expression combine in the heat of the Brazilian streets as we meet Tropassinho, the Swedish dance group, who brings the dance and music of Passinho to Scandianvia.
Introduce yourself.
Hey there! I’m Carolina Ekman, a passionate lifelong dancer whose heart beats to the rhythm of Brazilian music. I'm the leader of the amazing dance group Tropassinho, based in Stockholm, Sweden.
How did you all meet and how did it all begin?
It all started when I was on maternity leave with my second child, after a difficult HG pregnancy. I’d been dancing my whole life and wanted to get back into it. That’s when I discovered Passinho on YouTube – a new dance style from Brazil. The dancers were fast, the music was amazing, and they were dancing in flip-flops in their backyard. It looked so fun and free. Before that, I had mostly danced in high heels, especially carnival samba. I immediately wanted to throw on some sneakers and start dancing, so I reached out to my dance friends to see if they were interested in learning too, and that’s how it all began.
Passinho, which means “small steps” in Portuguese, started in 2008 when a group of young guys from Rio did a few dance steps for fun, posted the video on Youtube, and went viral. Now the style is well-established, and professional dancers from Brazil travel the world teaching it.
Passinho is a really unique sound. How would you explain it to someone that’s never heard it before?
Fast, quirky, fun, vibrant and with a unique sound that you can recognise by the rhythm: “Dum tcha tcha, dumdum tcha, dum tcha tcha, dumdum tcha”.
The same could be said of the dance style – how would you describe it.
Fast footwork and lots of hip movements. My personal take on it is that Passinho is a blend of street, funk, hip hop, and traditional Brazilian dances like frevo and samba, but lately also introducing other styles like vogueing... Passinho is all about creativity and freedom, constructing and reconstructing, with dancers mixing sharp, energetic moves and smooth, playful steps.
Is there a big scene here in Sweden?
There are some dance companies and clubs spinning Brazilian funk, which is a pretty broad scene. But Passinho? That’s still underground for now. We’re hoping it blows up though—there’s so much energy and style in it!
Tropassinho has a very distinctive style. What’s the intention behind it, and how does it make you feel when you’re in costume dancing?
The idea was to learn Passinho and just have fun. A few of us in the group had danced Brazilian samba together, so trying Passinho felt like a natural step. But over time, we grew into a larger group of women, where a strong sense of community and sisterhood emerged. We give each other courage and strength. In our show costumes, we step into an elevated reality – half woman, half mystical being. And we absolutely love seeing the audience’s reactions when we hit the stage!
Passinho is an important cultural movement in Brazil and was recently recognised as part of the cultural heritage by the city of Rio de Janeiro. Through Passinho, young people from historically marginalised communities have gained recognition, showcasing their creativity and resilience while celebrating their vibrant cultural identity. This growing movement is not just about dance; it’s a powerful platform for empowerment and connection, inspiring a brighter future for the next generation.
You’ve started taking Tropassinho outside of Sweden now, how’s the reception been?
The Danes love us! ;) We’re always eager to take our dance around the world and meet others who share our passion. So far, we’ve been to Brazil and Denmark, and we’re looking forward to more international adventures. Maybe Portugal, the UK, or Germany – each has fantastic dance festivals. We can’t wait to see where our steps will take us next!
Tropassinho’s been appearing with artists as well. Tell us a little about that and why you think people want that energy you bring.
A few years ago, when we performed with the choreography and music of our idols, Dream Team Do Passinho, at the Uppsala Festival of Cultures, we then shared some clips from the show on social media and tagged them. It turned out that they reshared our clips. We were beyond thrilled! 1-2 years later, when we went to Rio, we contacted them and had the opportunity to learn with them and even do a dance video together with some of the members. This was a magical experience!
Merch is happening… What was the catalyst for creating merch?
We’ve got to have a sleek cover-up ready to throw on as soon as we step off stage. It keeps our costumes protected and us warm, but it also makes us stand out and creates a strong sense of unity within the group.
Word on the street is you’re big fans of our new Zip Hoodie. How come?
Honestly, these hoodies are the real deal! Super comfy, killer fit, and quality you can trust. Plus, they’re perfect for those “I just danced my heart out” moments, allowing us to chill in style while we plan our next epic performance. And let’s not forget how easy it is to order them – smooth and hassle-free, just like our moves on stage!
What kinds of themes or artworks are you using and who’s behind the designs?
The Tropassinho logo features an upside-down heart, a design that playfully illustrates the “goddess portal” and has naturally evolved within our group. The final design of this symbol was crafted by Åsa Thomander, bringing our vision to life.
How can we experience Tropassinho and the Passinho sound? Any tips for artists, DJs or club nights?
Give us a shout, and we’ll ignite the dance floor like it’s a Carnaval bloco! Get ready for a night of pure ritmo and energy!
Valeu!
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