Baile Funk

Based on the driving rhythm and aggressive vocal delivery of Miami Bass, Baile Funk is the music of Rio's favela populace, the true music of the streets. While the middle class kids listen to rock and metal, the street kids find their emotions expressed in this powerful, exciting blend of hip-hop and dance. Maligned by the press as a means by which the drug syndicates can sell, the parties that the style developed at remain popular, and are a means of expession for people otherwise ignored by the Brazilian middle and upper classes.
Nowadays, Baile Funk is gaining popularity worldwide, with artists such as M.I.A., Diplo and Kelis incoporating the influence into their own work, and CSS taking Bonde do Rolê on tour with them. Obviously a lot of it sounds a bit rough around the edges, but the music is expressly about freedom, the freedom to escape the favela and party, and that shines through.

DJ Marlboro- Funk Brasil

DJ Marlboro's Funk Brasil is the album credited as the start of Baile Funk. I've yet to download it at the time of writing. The download is megaupload.

Bonde do Rolê- With Lasers

Having toured with CSS is a good advertisment for BdR, who have that same party atmosphere in their music. They were until recently on Diplo's label, but this latest album, With Lasers is on thier old label. It's worth checking out, as they incorporate a variety of sounds through use of samples, so it's a bit like listening to someone rap over a constantly retuning radio.

Fernanda Abreu- Raio X

Hailed as the 'Queen of Brazilian Funk', Fernanda Abreu has been on the scene for a long time, and this album shows why. This is Baile Funk in its purest form, addictive and fun.

Tigarah- Self-titled EP

This is an interesting album, in that Tigarah is not in fact a Brazilian, but a Japanese girl who, after majoring in politics in University, decided to become a Baile Funk MC and spread her political message through her music. It's not quite up to par with the Brazilian music, because Japanese is not a language that lends itself to the vocal style in my opinion, but the music is fun and not awful. Definately worth a look, if only for interest's sake.


The following albums are collections of various artists, so I can't account for the quality on offer, but there are some gems in there:

Baile Funk Vol.1

Baile Funk Vol.2

Baile Funk Vol.3

Baile Funk Vol.4

Baile Funk Vol.5

Baile Funk Vol.6

Baile Funk Vol.7

Baile Funk Vol.8

Baile Funk Vol.9

Baile Funk Vol.10

Baile Funk Vol.11

Baile Funk Vol.12

Baile Funk Vol.13

Baile Funk Vol.14

Baile Funk Vol.15

Baile Funk Vol.16

Baile Funk Vol.17

Baile Funk Vol.18

Baile Funk Vol.19

Baile Funk Vol.20