Carioca Funk in Brazil: History, Artists & Songs

Funk is an American music genre that became popular in the USA in the ’60s, especially for the work of artists like James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Wonder. Ok, but how is Carioca funk related to those guys? Well, the Carioca funk we know nowadays has nothing to do with the work of these people. With the fast beat and sexual content, Carioca funk became popular in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro before getting to the whole country of Brazil.

But indeed the history of Carioca funk has ties with American funk and black music. Let’s check!

History of Carioca Funk in Brazil

Funk music got to Brazil in the late ’70s along with Brazilian singers Tim Maia and Tony Tornado. They included Brazilian rhythm in their black music songs, captivating the local audience. Back then, Canecão, a famous concert hall in Rio de Janeiro, would host traditional funk nights called “Baile da Pesada”. When those parties ended, the producers started to promote similar black music parties in different parts of the city. They would play more than funk music, but the term “Baile Funk” stuck with the partygoers.

At the same time, Brazilian DJs were playing soul, shaft, and funk music at parties in the favelas. In the ’80s, DJ Marlboro brought the Miami Bass genre to Rio, where it became super popular. That is when Carioca funk started to look/sound like what it is today. In the late ’80s/early ’90s, those DJs would mix rap and hip-hop with repetitive beats. The lyrics used to talk about life in the favelas, violence, police brutality, and civil rights.

In the 21st century, Carioca funk brought sexual content to their songs, using simpler phases and repetitive words. And in the 2010s, funk artists started to include a more pop feel to it.

Moreover, you cannot talk about Carioca Funk without mentioning the dances and parties, known as Baile Funk or Baile de Favela. This is where people go to have fun, dance the night away, twerking, shaking, and having the best time!

Check three different types of Carioca funk music below, representing different eras of the genre in Rio de Janeiro.

Other Types of Brazilian Funk

Funk from São Paulo

The funk music from São Paulo is different from the one popular in Rio de Janeiro. Funk music became popular in São Paulo around 2008 through what they call “Funk Ostentação”, with lyrics talking about luxury items, cars, money, and women.

Brega funk

Brega funk is a mix of Carioca funk and Brega, a popular genre in Recife, Pernambuco.

Funk Melody

Funk melody is a subgenre of Carioca funk music in Brazil, popular in the early ’90s. It brings a more romantic subject matter to the lyrics.

Pagofunk

A mix of pagode and carioca funk music.

Proibidão

The lyrics in this type of music usually have plenty of bad works and explicit sexual content, in addition to glorifying and praising the drug cartels and the use of illegal drugs.

Notable Artists in Carioca Funk

• Dennis DJ
• Anitta
• Ludmilla
• Mc Marcinho
• Mc Catra
• Cidinho e Doca
• Claudinho e Buchecha
• Bonde do Tigrão
• Valeska Popozuda
• Tati Quebra Barraco
• DJ Marlboro

Notable Carioca Funk Songs Through the Years

• Feira de Acari by Mc Batata
• Rap do Silva by Bob Rum
• Rap da Felicidade by Cidinho e Doca
• Som de Preto by Amilcka e Chocolate
• Desce Glamurosa by Verônica Costa
• Boladona by Tati Quebra Barraco
• O Baile Todo by Bonde do Tigrão
• Glamurosa by Mc Marcinho
• Atoladinha by Bola de Fogo e As Foguentas
• Dança do Créu by Mc Créu
• Malha Funk by Bonde do Vinho
• Late Que Eu Tô Passando by Gaiola das Popozudas
• Se Ela Dança Eu Danço by Mc Leozinho
• Eu Tô Tranquilão by Mc Sapão
• Quero Te Encontrar by Claudinho e Buchecha
• Eu Vou Ficar by Mc Anitta
• Fala Mal de Mim by Mc Beyonce

Top Hits in 2022

• Dançarina by Pedro Sampaio ft. Mc Pedrinho
• SentaDONA by Luísa Sonsa ft. Davi Kneip, DJ Gabriel do Borel and MC Frog
• Ai Preto by L7NNON ft. Biel Do Furduncinho and Bianca
• Galopa by Pedro Sampaio
• Baile No Morro by MC Tairon ft. MC Vitin da Igrejinha
• Incendeia by Kevin O Chris

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