Brazilian country, tattooed bums, and a whole load of controversy

In a half-serious tone, several Brazilian social media users have this week claimed that a pop star’s tattooed anus has done more for the country than the current federal government.

The latest iteration of bumgate in Brazil was sparked by a comment made by sertanejo country singer Zé Neto during a recent concert in Mato Grosso state. “We are artists who do not depend on [public funding initiatives], we don’t need to get a tattoo on our assholes to show if we’re all right or not,” he said. 

Zé Neto cited the Rouanet Law, a cultural incentive policy consistently criticized by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro — who believes it only exists to fund left-wing artists. And the tattooed anus, in turn, alludes to Latin Grammy-nominated pop icon Anitta, who is critical of the current head of state and famously has the word “love” tattooed where the sun doesn’t shine.

Created in 1991, the Rouanet Law allows individuals or legal entities to submit cultural projects for sponsorship. The proposals are analyzed by the Department of Culture and, if approved, applicants approach companies willing to invest, in exchange for tax breaks.

Pot, kettle, black?

Unsurprisingly, Zé Neto’s comments did not...