8 Tracks: Of Baile Funk With Branko

Music

Enchufada label founder Branko is gearing up for the release of a new compilation, Enchufada Na Zona – also the name of his monthly NTS show which broadcasts live from Lisbon. The collection is a widescreen look at the global club scene, with originals, edits and remixes from the likes of Lorenzo BITW, Jowaa, Mina and Bryte – the latter of whom is also releasing a track on our very own Ransom Note Records next month…

"Maybe now more than ever, the idea of celebrating connections and diversity feels like the only thing people should be making music about", Branko explains. Fittingly, the music contained here is a glorious, borderless mesh of hybrids and meetings, from house and gqom to kuduro and afrobeats.

For his 8 Tracks playlist, Branko has cast his gaze over to Brazil and chosen "a selection of Baile Funk tracks that have been a part of my life one way or the other, from late '80s stuff to what's happening in São Paulo and around the country right now." Dig in below.

Enchufada Na Zona is out 7th July on Enchufada.

LISTEN

Guto E Cia - Melo Do Bicho

How Baile Funk sounded in the ’80s. This track was part of a compilation by DJ Marlboro that came out in 1989 called ‘DJ Marlboro Apresenta Funk Brasil’. I came across this compilation around 2005 or 2006 and this was really my stand out track.

Guto E Cia - Melo Do Bicho

How Baile Funk sounded in the ’80s. This track was part of a compilation by DJ Marlboro that came out in 1989 called ‘DJ Marlboro Apresenta Funk Brasil’. I came across this compilation around 2005 or 2006 and this was really my stand out track.
Mc Cidinho & Doca - Rap Da Felicidade

A classic song released in 1995. Amazing how it’s still relevant today and I still keep hearing it in clubs/parties. Vocals and drums have always been the best combination when it comes to urban music and regardless of genres this is a great example of that.
Mc Bob Rum - Rap Do Silva

This is another song that’s at least 20 years old or so and another classic Rio de Janeiro track heavily associated with the legendary crew Furacao 2000. The lyrics and story of the song are really strong, talking about a Funkeiro that was shot for no reason leaving his kids orphaned, etc.
Deize Tigrona - Injeção

The classic Baile funk track from 2004 that M.I.A. and Diplo ended up sampling to create ‘Bucky Done Gun’ for Arular.
Mc Brisola - Vai Sentando No Fuzil

Fast forward 10 years and I stumbled across DJ R7’s Soundcloud page and I could not believe what I was hearing. The way that the classic beatbox got flipped into a beat and how they had the “tamborzão” loop had been totally replaced. There’s was a lot happening in between but it was DJ R7’s production that made me wanna jump on a flight back to Brazil and check what the hell was happening again. Only that this time the flight was for São Paulo instead of Rio de Janeiro and that ended up changing everything and creating a monster Baile Funk industry. His production and creativity are just out of this world, it’s unbelievable.
Mc Bin Laden - Bololo Haha

MC Bin Laden did for the vocal side of Baile Funk what DJ R7 and DJ Perera were doing for its beats. Had the pleasure of working together with him early 2015 and it was pretty intense.
Mc Carol - Bateu Uma Onda

MC Carol’s lyrics are just the best! Her whole attitude is crazy. She’s from Niteroi in the Rio De Janeiro state, south of Brazil, and she sounds truly unique. She’s now affiliated with Leo Justi’s Heavy Baile crew and is also working with huge acts like Karol Conka or Tropkillaz.
Dj Jacare, Dj Vitao & Dj Ihan - Mtg - Mega Proibida

The latest wave of Baile Funk that I came across online is the whole new spacey, ambient sounding beats from the city of Belo Horizonte. It’s really creative in the way that it almost doesn’t use any drum sounds or rhythm patterns. Just twisted melodies while occasionally hinting at a drum loop that never starts.