D.J. Malboro Apresenta Funk Brasil
Vários artistas
1989
Why This Album Matters
D.J. Marlboro Apresenta Funk Brasil, released in September 1989 by Polydor, is widely recognised as the ground zero of commercial funk carioca. This album not only consolidated the sound that had been developing in the bailes, but also elevated it to an unprecedented level of recognition and sales for the genre at the time. DJ Marlboro's work on the record was fundamental in defining the sound of funk carioca, mixing elements of electro, hip-hop, and Brazilian popular music, with lyrics sung in Portuguese. The album captured the cultural essence of the favelas and funk bailes, transforming improvised versions and popular nicknames of American songs into original and produced tracks. With an approach that balanced heavy basslines and eclectic samples with a more "friendly" presentation, the album paved the way for the commercialisation of the genre, previously restricted to the suburbs and lacking recognition from the elite or the media.
Context
Before the release of D.J. Marlboro Apresenta Funk Brasil, the baile funk in Rio de Janeiro was characterised by DJs who adapted the sound of Miami bass with their own codes. However, this cultural manifestation remained restricted to the suburbs, without recognition from the elite or mainstream media. Fernando Luiz Mattos da Matta, DJ Marlboro, was already an active figure in the music scene and in 1989 won the Brazilian DJ Championship, the year he released this album. He observed how at freestyle parties in Rio, people created their own Portuguese versions of American songs, which they often did not understand, and nicknamed them "melô do...". This perception was crucial for the album's conception.
Recording
The album D.J. Marlboro Apresenta Funk Brasil was released in LP format by the Polydor label in 1989. Production was handled by DJ Marlboro himself. In his studio, which, although modest, was described as powerful, Marlboro created a unique soundscape. The album brought a more produced sound, but without losing the original rawness of the bailes.
Songs
The album features eight tracks, presenting a fusion of genres such as funk carioca and Miami bass. Among the songs, "Rap das Aranhas (Rock das 'Aranha')", performed by Cidinho Cambalhota, and "Melô da Mulher Feia (Do Wah Diddy)", with Abdullah on vocals, stand out as the record's most popular. DJ Marlboro had the idea to create Portuguese versions of American hits, such as 2 Live Crew's "Do Wah Diddy", which transformed into "Melô da Mulher Feia", and "One and One", which became "Melô dos Números". The lyrics, rooted in favela culture, also incorporated high doses of humour.
Legacy
D.J. Marlboro Apresenta Funk Brasil is widely considered the album that marked the "ground zero" of funk carioca. The record achieved significant commercial success, selling over 250,000 copies. In 1989, the album reached the second position on Brazil's weekly charts (Nopem) and finished the year in 18th position on the annual charts. The release of this album opened a new path for DJs and MCs, offering them an opportunity for exposure and signalling to the Brazilian music industry the commercial potential of the genre. Throughout history, this initiative paved the way for the emergence of funk stars such as Cidinho e Doca, MC Marcinho, Tati Quebra Barraco, MC Bin Laden and Anitta. DJ Marlboro's importance for funk carioca is such that he was listed in 100th position on Rolling Stone magazine's "List of the Hundred Greatest Artists of Brazilian Music" in 2008.
