Sao Paulo Funk - An Introduction

Journalist, ethnomusicologist, and DJ, Maïa wears many hats as long as the topic is music. He is one of the curators of FUNK.BR - São Paulo, a project that reflects his decade-long work with baile funk artists from his hometown, whether he's writing for media outlets like The Guardian or Rolling Stone, DJing, or researching the paredões sound systems. 

For this special series, Maïa has curated an overarching selection of baile funk, fleshing out the early years of this music genre and its various iterations. It's a 90-minute journey through the baile funk world, interspersed with informative drops that help the listener understand more about this music, which is not just a genre but an idiom.
 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-maia-7th-april-2024

São Paulo Funk: An Introduction - Baile Funk History w/ MAÏA 070424

"The horns wizard!" That's Pablo's alias and trademark, an infectious blend of brass layered over edgy kicks. Hailing from Capão Redondo, the same neighborhood that gave birth to Racionais MCs—arguably Brazil's most important rap group—Pablo is a staple of the city's street parties, the bailes, with tracks like "Bota na Pipokinha" making waves on both the favela soundtrack and Brazil's top charts.

In his first tour abroad, Pablo made a stop at the NTS studio to walk us through his baile funk world. Beware: it's full of echoing, strange horns, dry, stomping kicks, and fresh takes on all-time São Paulo funk classics like "Bonde da Oakley." 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-pablo-rb-7th-april-2024

São Paulo Funk: An Introduction - Pablo RB 070424

In São Paulo's north side, from Pirituba to Guarulhos, passing through Favela do Pó, the ritmado reigns supreme. This strain of baile funk relies on feverish polyrhythms, transitioning from metal-laden beats to berimbau-driven patterns. The soundscape revolves around Marcone, the favela that hosts one of the most important street parties in the region. 

João Marconex represents his neighborhood in his alias and his set for NTS. The DJ blends mandelão ritmado featuring several of his DJ peers, such as Deivão, TH, Rugal, and Dozabri, along with MCs who find melodious paths among the puzzle-like beats. 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-dj-joao-marconex-7th-april-2024

São Paulo Funk: An Introduction - DJ João Marconex 070424

One of the youngest DJs to join the NTS São Paulo Funk Broadcast, Gui7 has already made a name for himself in his short career. Self-proclaimed "o mais brabo da zona oeste," meaning the sickest one from São Paulo's west side, Gui7 provides a sonic panorama of a region known not only for its big parties but also for small bailes, such as Baile do Jaqueline and Baile do Sapé. 

Navigating various mandelão strains, Gui7 seamlessly transitions from ritmado to automotivo while maintaining his unique take on basslines—crafted from overdriven guitars or 8-bit chiptune textures. 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-dj-gui7-7th-april-2024

São Paulo Funk: An Introduction - DJ Gui7 070424

DJ and mother of the vogue house Casa de Babilônia, Majestade expands the funk realm into the ballroom universe. Her mixes are powerful performances that blend baile rhythms with crashing a-ha beats, macumba rhythms, and high-pitched bubble pops.

With a set titled "Bruxaria Brasileira," Majestade delves deep into the bruxaria dialect: a dark take on baile funk that reimagines a macabre world for São Paulo, a dystopian nightmare soundtracked by thunderous 4x4 kicks and blasting melodies. 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-majestade-babilonia-7th-april-2024

São Paulo Funk: An Introduction - Majestade Babilônia 070424

Model by day, DJ by night, and a music lover 24/7, Vitoria Nicolau is a go-to person to learn more about the soundtracks of São Paulo's black club culture. And yet, she was not born in the capital city. Vitória was born and raised in Santos, a coastal city that was the first hotbed for funk in the state of São Paulo. 

In this mix, the DJ digs into the vaults of Santos' funk, shedding light on a short yet relevant generation of MCs that paved the way for São Paulo baile. 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-vitoria-nicolau-7th-april-2024

São Paulo Funk: An Introduction - Vitoria Nicolau 070424

A founding member of the National Front of Women in Funk (FNMF) and a dancer and funk teacher, Renata Prado wears as many hats as she wants, especially if they're under the funk category. This multidisciplinary artist and intellectual is among a fierce generation of black and young people shaping the future of funk beyond the dancefloors and streets. 

For the NTS São Paulo Funk series, Renata has curated a special selection of baile funk tunes that tell the story of this music genre in São Paulo from the perspective of female artists. She adds a level of context to her selection with her voice and thoughts, creating a sort of funk sound piece that can be followed in English below.
 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-renata-prado-7th-april-2024

São Paulo Funk: An Introduction - Renata Prado 070424

Welcome to São Paulo - NTS and a host of characters from across the cities' neighbourhoods take you on a rollercoaster ride through all the magic and menacing strains of baile funk the city has to offer. 

Created with Brazilian DJ, writer, and ethnomusicologist Felipe Maia. 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-dj-wizard-7th-april-2024

São Paulo Funk: An Introduction - DJ Wizard 070424

Hailing from Club Dz7, one of the most important baile funk labels in São Paulo, Gabiru is as skillful as he is tireless in the studio. This young baile funk artist works tirelessly with a seemingly never-ending sonic palette. From high-pitched whistles to alarming sirens, there's not a sound Gabiru won't infuse into his music-making. 

His guest mix showcases an overwhelming yet diverse take on mandelão. Expect utterly saturated kicks ranging from aggressive to spellbinding, featuring the likes of MC Vitin da Dz7, MC Mulekinho, and MC Talibã with "Dentro do i30," an exclusive track featured in "FUNK.BR - São Paulo." 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/sao-paulo-funk/episodes/sao-paulo-funk-dj-gabiru-7th-april-2024

Sao Paulo Funk - An Introduction

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