Two years before he died, the producer who worked with Raimundos, Skank and O Rappa shared a scathing reflection on the subject
There are those in Brazil who believe that rock It is funk represent true opposites. This was not the understanding of Carlos Eduardo Miranda. The legendary music producer, who died in 2018, said in an interview two years earlier with the Amanda Ramalho on YouTube that it makes no sense for a rock fan to criticize Brazilian funk.
At the time, he had been asked to choose some of his favorite songs of all time. One of the options was “Computer World 2”, by the electro band Kraftwerk. Initially, the chat addressed the proximity of electronic music in its origins to rock, but it ended up reaching the criticism of rockers from Brazil to other styles.
For the producer, who worked with names like Raimundos, Skank, O Rappa It is I’m tired of being sexy, negative comments about funk make no sense because funk bears similarities to rock. They are not exactly opposites as many believe. The argument was based on one of the greatest rockers of all time: Elvis Presley.
“[Roqueiro hoje é] Father of the family, right wing… then I keep thinking. The rocker today has a habit of criticizing funk. They say that funk has lyrics that don’t say anything, that the dance is slutty, that the beat is primitive… that’s Elvis Presley, man. When Elvis appeared, they said: ‘this Elvis does the dance that shakes your hips’. The lyrics ‘whop bop b-luma b-lop bam bom’ [de Little Richard, regravada por Presley] what you mean? Shit no.”
“Rock today in Brazil is funk”
Carlos Eduardo Miranda’s reflection took on even more controversial tones after the producer stated that funk currently represents what rock would be like. That’s when the connection with Kraftwerk became present.
“Rock today in Brazil is funk. And do you know where funk came from? That’s the craziest thing: it came out on this Kraftwerk record, on this song I chose.”
Listen below to the song “Computer World 2”, by Kraftwerk, and also check out Miranda’s interview.
The opinion of another great producer
In 2021, the also music producer Rick Bonadio demonstrated to have a different opinion from that expressed by Carlos Eduardo Miranda. The professional who worked with Charlie Brown JrMamonas AssassinasLos HermanosTitãs It is NX Zerodrew attention on social media by criticizing Brazilian funk after female rappers Cardi B It is Megan Thee Stallion play a funk version of the song “WAP”, made by DJ Pedro Sampaioat the Grammy of that year.
In a post on Twitter, which ended up being removed amid criticism, Bonadio said that Brazil had already “exported” other musicians who were better than funk artists.
“We already export Bossa Nova, we already export Samba Rock, Jobim, Ben Jor. Even Roberto Carlos. But the noise they make over 15 seconds of Funk in Cardi B’s performance embarrasses me. We need to export good music and not this ‘stand on all fours’.”
The professional’s speech was highly criticized, including by internet users who remembered works with explicit lyrics or questionable artistic proposal recorded by him in the past. In the face of this, he recanted and explained his position.
“I have no intention of creating controversy, much less demeaning anyone’s work. I hope they evolve and understand the criticism. Only applause can be alienation. I feel the need to criticize some situations because I see widespread alienation. Funk needs to evolve. Funk artists need to dare, evolve musically in order to grow. You can’t always do the same thing. […] You can’t accept that always the same beat with lyrics of put#ria is something necessary or the ‘culture of the country’. Anyway, I respect everyone in funk for their battles and victories. Sorry if I offended, it was never my intention. What I hope is that, when successful, funk artists seek to improve, study music, lyrics and grow musically.”
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
