Brazilian funk

Brazilian Funk music, favela funk and, elsewhere in the world, baile funk, is a type of dance music from Brazil.

"Baile funk", in Brazil, refers not to the music itself, but to the parties in which the music is played. Although originated in Rio, funk has become increasingly popular amongst (mainly) low classes in other parts of Brazil.

Funk is a direct derivative of Miami bass and freestyle (another Miami-based genre) music from the United States. It popularized in the 80s in Rio de Janeiro ghettos called favelas (slums in English). From mid-90s it was a mainstream phenomenon in Brazil. Funk songs discuss topics as varying as poverty, human dignity, black racial pride, sex (breaking its moral values), violence and social injustice.

The rhythms of funk now use tamborzão rhythms in addition to the older drum machine loops from the 80s very beginning. Tamborzão beats use samples of Brazilian hand drums, particularly the atabaque, in arrangements that are close to the same as those used in capoeira. Melodies are usually sampled. Older songs typically chopped up freestyle samples for the melody, or had none at all. Modern funk uses a set of samples from various sources, notably horn and accordion stabs. Funk music has always used a small catalog of rhythms and samples which almost all songs are taken from (commonly with several in the same song). Funk songs can either be instrumental or include rapping, singing, or something in between the two.

Until the year 2000, Funk Carioca was only a regional phenomenon. Then the European media began to report its peculiar combination of music, social issues with a strong sexual appeal. The popularity of funk was spread then due to the strong sexual appeal of the music and dance, much more than the musical interest itself but it also helped people realise the role, culture, and character of funk in Brazilian favelas. The social issues and the daily life in favelas interested a lot of foreigners.

In Brazil, Funk lyrics are often criticized due to their violent and sexually explicit content, as well as the degradation of women as objects for sex. Girls are called "cachorras" (bitches) and "popozudas" (large asses), and many songs revolve around casual and degrading sex practices with them. "Novinhas" (young/underaged girls) as sexual objects are also a frequent theme in funk songs. Some of these songs, however, are ironically sang by women. The extreme banalization of sex and the incitement of promiscuity is viewed as a negative aspect of the funk culture. Besides the moral considerations, in favelas, where sanitary conditions are poor and sex education low, this might lead to public health and social issues. The glamourisation of criminality in the favelas is also frequently viewed as another negative consequence of funk lyrics. Some funk songs, belonging to a style known as "proibidão" (forbidden), have very violent lyrics and are sometimes composed by drug dealing gangs. Its themes include praising the murders of rival gang members and cops, intimidation of opposers, claiming power over the favelas, robbery, drug use and the illicit life of drug dealers in general. Authorities view some of these lyrics as "recruiting" people to organized crime and inciting violence. More popular funk artists usually compose two different sets of similar lyrics for their songs: one gentler, more "appropriate" version, and another with a harsher, cruder set of lyrics. The first version is the one broadcast by local radio stations; the second is played in dance halls, parties, and in public by sound cars. Recurrent lyric topics in Funk Carioca are explicit sexual positions, the funk party, the police force, and the life of slum dwellers in the favelas. Another large part of the lyrics is the use of the world around them - mainly the poverty that has enveloped the area. This is usually denounced in the lyrics and the hope for a better life is carried through many of their messages. Defenders of funk argue that the genre is an authentic expression of low-income communities and the sexual lyrics reflect sexual freedom in Brazilian society.

In Pernambuco there are many funk MCs writing and composing songs. Most of them are known locally and their music play quite a lot in radios and parties. But they are not known internationally yet. "Bailes funk" take place very often in different locations around town. And most of these producers/singers are eager to have an opportunity to show their talent abroad. So if you want to contract any of them to performe just let us know and we can arrange it for a very fair price. For further information, please contact us by e-mail: sindri_o@hotmail.co.uk, favela funk and, elsewhere in the world, baile funk, is a type of dance music from Brazil.