Artist declares that he listens to a genre that comes from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to dance and work out — and also praises non-standard rhythmic solutions
In Brazil, rock and funk are seen almost like oil and water: they don’t mix. However, there is a representative of North American metalcore who not only knows the national rhythm but also appreciates it.
It is about Courtney LaPlantevocalist of Spiritbox who was in the country for the first time last November, presenting himself before the Bring Me the Horizon at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo. It is not known whether the artist born in the United States and based in Canada became aware of the genre during her trip or if she had already discovered it before, but now her admiration has become public.
LaPlante was invited by the magazine Spin to list the 5 albums you can’t live without (via Igor Miranda website). Before listing the albums, he revealed that he loves R&B — both old and current — and declared that he listens to a lot of Brazilian funk to practice physical activities.
Initially, about R&B, he stated:
“My current music collection has a lot of 90s and modern-day R&B, from Mary J. Blige to Jazmine Sullivan. I hear SOS (2022 album) by SZA over and over and find a new favorite song each time. I also love Chelsea Wolfe and his latest album (She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She2024). This one has some really amazing influences from Portishead and Massive Attack (in my opinion) and I think it’s her best work yet. Her show is incredible.”
In relation to Brazilian funk, Courtney even praised the rhythmic solutions found by composers even though they adopted the more conventional 4/4 pattern (four beats per measure). She states:
“AND [ouço] a little Brazilian funk, which I love to dance and work out with. It’s always been great, but lately I’ve been hearing more and more crazy patterns that still hold up in a 4/4 rhythm pattern (four beats per measure, one of the more conventional counts), which sounds really cool to me.”
Spiritbox’s versatility and funk’s relationship with international artists
Although metalcore is its main style, Spiritbox mixes elements from other subgenres of heavy music (such as progressive metal and djent) and even musical genres (such as pop and trap), although in this case the fusion is more discreet. The group also collaborated on two separate occasions with the rapper Megan Thee Stallionin “TYG” and in the version “Cobra (Rock Remix)”.
It’s also no surprise that Courtney LaPlante knows Brazilian funk, given that the genre has achieved popularity abroad. Artists like Beyonce (which used “Heating of the Danadas” in music “Spaghettii” and danced “Passinho do Volante” at Rock in Rio 2013), Madonna (which partnered with Anita), Diplo, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), Gorillaz, Rosalía and Karol G they have already flirted with the style that comes from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.
The albums Courtney LaPlante can’t live without
See below the 5 albums that Courtney LaPlante can’t live without. The comments (in English) can be checked directly on Spin.
1) Hounds of Lovefrom kate bush
2) I Let It In and It Takes Everythingfrom Loathe
3) Renaissance: Act Ifrom Beyonce
4) good kid, mAAd cityfrom Kendrick Lamar
5) Baduizmfrom Erykah Badu
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.
