Off The King

The song 'Off The King' by Bonde do Gato Preto is a satire that explores the figure of a young preacher, Miguel Oliveira, who went viral on the internet for his unusual sermons. The singer from Paraíba, known for turning memes into music, captured the essence of the phenomenon that Miguel became—especially after one of his seemingly nonsensical English phrases went viral on social media. The lyrics of the song repeat this phrase, 'Of the king, the power, te bester', comically highlighting its incoherence and the way such content spreads online.

The song becomes even more intriguing when considering the controversy surrounding the young preacher. Miguel was banned by the Child Protective Council from continuing his sermons after accusations of exploiting people’s faith for financial gain. The song mentions the price charged for his appearances, 'dez mil conto' ('ten thousand reais'), and how people were willing to pay just to hear him speak—raising questions about the commercialization of faith and the role of social media in popularizing controversial figures.

The repetition of the English phrases in the song not only emphasizes its humorous tone, but also criticizes the superficial way in which some content is consumed and shared online. Through this song, Bonde do Gato Preto not only entertains, but also provokes reflection on how today’s society deals with instant fame and the monetization of public figures—especially when it comes to such sensitive topics as religion.