Funk carioca has a loud, pulsing beat and a quaking bass, both tailored for the dancing aspect of the music. Made using mostly synthesizers and launch pads, it strongly resembles traditional electronic music. There are almost never any actual instruments used in the making of funk soundtracks. The primary way of developing the music is through sampling and mixing. Lyrics are spoken in rhythm, much like rap or hip-hop, though all funk artists refer to themselves as singers.
The technology used is typically out-of-date and often handmade. The documentary Favela on Blast shows an scene of favelados creating their own speakers to use at a baile that night. This video has a great example of the rickety set-up that most baile funk concert technology has.[1] |
Synthesizer, Photo, FSU Word Music Online·
Launchpad, Photo, Ableton "Favela Stereos", Photo, riobailefunk.net |
MC SMith
Adamant that his songs and lyrics only reveal the reality of the life of a favelado, MC Smith is one of the most famous funk carioca artists in Brazil. "Vida Bandida 2" is his most well known song. He is a strong advocate of funk carioca's political nature and has been arrested for his involvement in the genre.
"MC Smith doesn't glorify crime. MC Smith doesn't glorify traffickers. MC Smith reports what happens in the community." -MC Smith on himself. |
"Mc Smith- Vida Bandida 2 ' Lacamento 2013 '", Video, MC Smith, Lancemento, 2013, Portuguese
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Here is a documentary about MC Smith, and his music and fame in the favelas.
"MC Smith Documentario", Video, MDM, MDM, 9/24/2012, Portuguese
"MC Smith Documentario", Video, MDM, MDM, 9/24/2012, Portuguese
Leo Justi
Leo Justi was discovered in 2012 by baile funk supporter and R&B artist MIA. “Leo is beautiful,” says MIA, “he is a breath of fresh air, out there contributing to the side of good peoples.”[2] He has enjoyed international fame since then and has had hits like "Gaitero" and "Sniper Queen."
"'Sniper Queen' and 'Gaitero' have put Leo Justi and his heavy baile sound on the lips of clubbers and tastemakers everywhere. With an album due later this year, it won’t be long before the whole world knows about Brazil’s worst kept secret." -Leo Justi on himself. Click here to look at Leo Justi's soundcloud. Here are some photos of Leo Justi from his facebook.
"Leo Justi etc.", Photos, Leo Justi, Facebook, 2012-2014 |
"Gaitero", Video, Leo Justi, Waxploitation, 2012, Portuguese
"O Homem Mau (Sniper Queen)", Video, Leo Justi, Waxploitation, 2012, Portuguese
"Heavy Baile Mixtape",Video, Leo Justi, Waxploitation, 2013, Portuguese
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MC Gorila
MC Gorila is famous for his unique noises in songs, particularly his signature "o-hon" which mimics the sound of a monkey. He says that he received his name not from this sound but because he looks like a gorilla. Instead of shunning the damning stereotype ascribed to many black people, he embraced it as his stage name. He mostly collaborates with MC Preto, and their most famous song is "Casa do Macho."
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"Rap do Gorila", Video, MCs Gorila e Preto, Zuandonos, 2007, Portuguese
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"Casa do Macho", Video, MCs Gorila e Preto, GDJ Studios, 2012, Portuguese
Female ARTISTS
Because of the macho nature of many baile funk songs, women can often not connect with the material or feel ostracized from creating music. There are songs that detail beating a girlfriend, ("She wants a nice caress, a kick, two punches and three slaps,"), and those that chastise during sexual acts, ("Don't you dribble on me," and "You stink, you've been wearing those panties for a week,") that show examples of the stereotypes women have to endure in funk carioca. Some women have come on the scene to create songs that they identify with and strike back against some of baile funk's more demoralizing themes.
M.I.A
Anglo-Sri Lankan artist MIA has been a major mobilizing force in creating funk carioca an international genre. Her biggest hit back in 2007 was "Paper Planes," which is a mocking anthem about the Western stereotypes of immigrants. Her desire to expose the reality of marginalized peoples underscores her jump to baile funk.
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"Bucky Done Gun", Video, M.I.A., XL Recordings Ltd., 2005, English
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Deize Tigrona |
Jú MC |
Deise Tigrona fell into baile funk singing by pure chance. She had a neighbor who played beats for her, and her self-proclaimed dirty and rude lyrics, as well as her natural rhythm gained her instant popularity in the favelas. She gutturally shouts lyrics like, "Say whatever you want, I don't give a shit. If you tell me what to do, I'll tell you to go fuck yourself," to assert herself against her male counterparts.
Here is her collabloration with Diplo, producer of Favela on Blast. "Bandida", Video, Diplo ft. Deize Tigrona, Lançamento do Funk na Caixa, 2012, Portuguese
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Ju MC, or Juliana, has recently come on to the baile funk scene to turn the tables by chastising men. In Favela on Blast, she is shown recording a new song with lyrics like this:
"Beggar face, stinks like a pig, showing off in borrowed clothes, He thinks he's so strong, Only thinks about himself, He pops pills to make his muscles grow, Work out! He stinks more than a skunk! Ugly mug! You was coughed up and spat out! I told you work! With money you can come Otherwise such you finger If you got a 600cc you are my desire." "If you see me fighting with him, Don't worry, I know what to say. He's annoying me. He wants kisses and hugs, He's full of shit and says I want to be his woman. Try it! Its true! Then be true to yourself." "Ugly, mug, bowl-legged, listen up!" |
[1] Mr. Catra the Faithful. Dir. Andreas Johnsen. Perf. Wagner Domingues Costa. Rosforth, 2004. Online.
[2] Justi, Leo. “Bio.” Facebook.com. 2012. Web.
[2] Justi, Leo. “Bio.” Facebook.com. 2012. Web.