Four Brazilian Baile Funk Favela Artists To Spice Up Your Life
When you think of Brazilian music, you might think of the calming Bossa Nova you heard as a child, perhaps something that reminds you of the soft melody...
When you think of Brazilian music, you might think of the calming Bossa Nova you heard as a child, perhaps something that reminds you of the soft melody of “Ipanema Girl” that lulled you to sleep. You probably heard it on a road trip with your parents. But this type of Brazilian music, that is what you could call contemporary baile funk, or funk carioca, is a more in-your-face, and offensive than Bossa Nova. But that’s what makes these Brazilian working class anthems even better.
Sango
A little less raunchy than most on this list, he draws inspiration from the Bossa Nova era as well, with a more fluid and jazzy vibe to it. The perfect accompaniment to a night of blazing or a rooftop brunch. Chill vibes with a rhythm that still makes you want to swing your hips. He's a supremely talented producer, and an international force to be reckoned with, frequently collaborating with artists of the reggaeton, dancehall and lyrical variety.
MC Bin Laden
There's something primal about the bare bones nature of some of his tracks, along with his slightly terrifying look, that makes us keep coming back for more. His flow blends hip hop and favela anthems with slapping drums that'll make it hard not to nod you head.
MC Pedrinho
Pedro Maia's, hard-hitting flow, beats and lyrics are hard not to twerk to, but when you find out that he was born in 2002, that might make you feel a little weird. His lyrics are super sexual and perfect the ruthless, raw beats that will get people grinding at a party, as long as you can forget that he's 14 years old.
Marginal Men
The Marginal Men mix baile funk with more afro-flavored beats and an extra dose of wobbly bass - their intense tracks fill the room. These guys are still relatively undiscovered but we don't think it’ll stay that way for long! They’ve been featured on Boiler Room and Red Bull Music Academy, and the adrenaline rush of tracks like this one featuring Omulu make us anxious for more.
The Best Indie Rappers You Should Be Listening To Right Now
These are the rappers we recommend you get to know right now and you'll thank us later for putting you on to these...
These are the rappers we recommend you get to know right now and you'll thank us later for putting you on to these DOPE indie artists on the rise. This list includes Black El, Black Josh Ape, thatboycurtis, Little Simz, and WALDO. If you feel like you were slighted and should be included on this list, holla at us at info@dopecausewesaid.com and we'll see what's good for next time.
Black El
Known for working with producer Durkin (soundcloud.com/durkin) this Boston-bred underground rapper is a lyrical breath of fresh air, with hot beats to match. His samples will give you shivers - it’s a hip hop a little less nicely packaged than the R&B Rapper era of Tory Lanez and Drake - Black El’s voice is a little smoother, deeper. His tracks seem of the moment, but your big brother can also relate to them. The Durkin Produced track “5 to 6” almost melds the styles of Kid Cudi and Chance the Rapper for a refreshing and much-needed wake up call.
Black Josh Ape
This MC from Manchester draws inspiration from a hard-hitting boom-bap era, but his cute and clever stoner bars add unique layers to his songs. He always pairs his lyrics with top notch producers like Reklews, and too late He’s confident but not annoyingly cocky (even though with that spitfire delivery he might have the right to be) His flow can go aggressive, or mellow, or combine the two, like the smooth, fast Tribe Called Quest inspired jazz of “Sleepless”.
thatboycurtis
Otherwise known as Curtis Williams, this wild-haired artist is a diamond in the rough from Atlanta, Georgia who has close ties to rapper Key!, and is part of the rap collectives Two-9, FatKidsBrotha, and Retrosushi, that ensures all his tracks have jaw-dropping turn-up features, like OG Maco and production by Metro Boomin’. His direction on each project is so diverse, yet consistently delivers - he’s definitely worth a listen.
Little Simz
She might be small and shy, but don’t underestimate Little Simz - her swag takes over a room. The shyness quickly goes away as she demolishes a track, and continuously impresses with her freestyle skills. She always keeps her cool and that effortless London “it” girl vibe, drawing from role models like Lauryn Hill She brings a quick intelligence to all her tracks that will keep you guessing, and it’s hard not to make her your #WCW rapper.
WALDO
Michigan has had some impressive rappers come out of it, like Eminem and Big Sean, but WALDO’s rapping chops make him one to add to that list of talent. Uptempo beats will keep your blood pumping. He’s one of the founders of AGO, a collective of artists including afro-punk producer Sango, and the international influence of the members in his collective shine through his own tracks, like the contagious, frenzied instrumental of Plaques, produced by none other than the homie Sango.
Born and raised New Yorker. I'm a leftie, (handed, and in all senses of the word), and a culture/lifestyle writer. With a Muslim mother, a Jewish father, and an upbringing at the United Nations School, my perspectives are often strong-footed, and have roots in many different pots.
The Best RnB Artists To Get Freaky To
Sometimes, the time for the perfect playlist is extremely vital - especially when it comes to between the sheets...
Sometimes, the time for the perfect playlist is extremely vital - especially when it comes to between the sheets. So we compiled a list of tracks that will go perfectly with some black lace, dimmed lines and a glass of red wine - they might even get you out of the friend zone.
J Robb
Feature Track: Say What
J Robb takes your favorite tracks from the 90’s and early 2000’s and puts his sexy, sexy twist on it. Get freaky to the reworks of Ashanti, Tamia, Justin Timberlake and more. He infuses a jazziness and super chilled tempo that makes you want to get wavy and do stuff.
Yellowlunarhuman (Pomo)
Feature Track: Kiss it Better Remix
You might know this producer better as Pomo. His alter ego has some pretty fuego tracks, that although sparsely posted, are all amazing. With jazz inspirations and remixes of Janet Jackson, Sade, and more. The beats are all velvety but his remix of Rihanna’s “Kiss it Better” is a funky, stridant bedroom anthem that gives the original song an extra 80’s inspired kick.
Gemaine
Feature track: Freaky
This panty-dropping sensation has under 15k followers, but seems to be the lovechild of Tory Lanez, the Weeknd, and R.Kelly. His falsettos and hi-hats are sharp, and his Soundcloud followers are sure to follow the quality of his tracks soon enough
ABRA
Feature Track: CRYBABY
Abra is adorable, and her old school beats are infection. She reminds a little of Janet and some vixens from her era, singing way beyond her years. This R&B crooner is perfect for ghosty bedroom vibes and her sexy taunts will have you playing in the sheets all night.
Alizzz
Feature Track: Body Slam feat. Santell
Alizzz will get you revved up in all the right ways. His moaning, come-hither voice reminds of Usher in tracks like the above, and the songs are a little brighter and more dynamic than some of the sleepier songs on this list. His tracks will get you into bed but wake you up in all the right ways ;)
Penthouse Penthouse
Feature Track: 69 Camara feat. Bobby Saint
This track is pretty straightforward in it’s message - if there was ever a song to make you want to get freaky in a car, this is it. Bobby Saint croons sweet pillow talk to us to the tune of Penthouse’s punchy synth beats. Be sure to check out his remix of Elijah Blake and Dej Loaf’s remix of “I Just Wanna”.
Ambre
Feature Track: Nintendo $hawty
This indie artist’s lyrics are on point and will definitely seduce you. She entices and makes promises about being your Nintendo Shawty - entice your man with some Nintendo in nothing but your socks, or vice versa for bae. Her production is super crisp and that voice (reminding a little of songstress Mila J) will cover you in goosebumps.
Born and raised New Yorker. I'm a leftie, (handed, and in all senses of the word), and a culture/lifestyle writer. With a Muslim mother, a Jewish father, and an upbringing at the United Nations School, my perspectives are often strong-footed, and have roots in many different pots.