Deixa Falar was founded in 1928 and is generally recognized as Rio de Janeiro’s first samba school.
The group was created in the Estácio neighborhood by sambistas including Ismael Silva, Bide and Marçal. Estácio was a crucial early center of urban samba, and the organization helped shape the musical and parade traditions later associated with samba schools.
Deixa Falar did not become one of the long-term dominant Special Group schools. Instead, its historical importance comes from its pioneering role. The founders and musicians connected with Estácio contributed to the development of the modern samba rhythm, including the stronger, more march-like style suited to moving through the streets.
The name is sometimes translated as “Let Them Talk.” Deixa Falar is also frequently confused with Mangueira or Portela, both much more familiar championship schools. Those schools were founded in the same broad period, but Deixa Falar has the earlier pioneering claim.