Funk yourself Rio style

GET READY FOR THE FIRST EVER LONDON BAILE FUNK

Watch out! Tati Quebra Barraco, the warrior queen of funk carioca, is coming over 'ere. She’ll be accompanied by MC Cidinho and MC Doca.

Jungle spoke to Tati on the phone in City of God, the neighbourhood she still lives in, that “she wouldn’t change for the world”. “I like the funk balls, I love the samba, I know everyone. My roots are here”. But she has left Rio many times. She’s played in Switzerland and Germany. “The first time, in Zurich, I was embarrassed, and when the show ended I thought the audience was booing me. In reality, they wanted an encore!”. She adds, “I was the only Brasilian there and I tore the spot up”.

Now Tati claims she’s more mature and ready to return to Europe, and believes that funk carioca has a bright future abroad. “After I appeared in a big TV soap opera in 2005, I became huge across Brasil, so why shouldn’t the same be true of other countries? In Argentina, I’m really well-known”.
Funk has won over the world with the help of American DJ Diplo. As well as a collaboration with singer M.I.A, he’s friends with Rio-born DJ Marlboro, who first took the rhythm out of the ghetto.

Tati is also unforgiving when it comes to the rumours that she was going to be invited to pose nude for a men’s magazine. “At the end, I never received the phone call. But I’m one sexy mama and I’m going to be massive in London. I hope everyone likes me, and the show, of course”, she exclaims, laughing. JD

Also on stage:
Marcio dos Santos Silva (Tati Quebra Barraco's DJ)
Bruno Cardozo Jorge Silva and Wagner Ramos Silva (dancers)

RiO FUNK HISTORY

PROFILE

FUNK CARIOCA
Starting in the `80s, funk began to be influenced by a new sound coming out of Florida: Miami Bass, which featured sexually explicit lyrics and faster beats. One of the most famous songs was a re-recording of Raul Seixas’ hit “Rock das Aranhas”, which became a success together with other,
light-hearted, nonpolitical songs.

PROIBIDÃO
Is a variation of funk carioca that first emerged in the `90s in the favelas. It’s generally sold clandestinely and deals with the reality of drug-ridden communities.

WHERE TO LEARN IN LONDON
Every Sunday from 6pm, Tiger Tiger promotes Balada Brasil, featuring a range of different rhythms, and from 8-9pm, dancers teach funk choreographies.

Funk yourself Rio style

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