Beatport has added a new genre category dedicated to Brazilian funk.
The music platform launched the Brazilian Funk category on Wednesday, 30th April in a bid to "recognise one of Brazil's most dynamic and culturally rich musical exports", it said.
Brazilian funk, also sometimes termed baile funk and funk carioca, is a distinct music style that takes tips from hip-hop, electronic music, Miami bass and freestyle. Originating from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and having existed in Brazil in various forms since the '80s, it's one of Brazil's most popular musical genres.
Its popularity has also extended beyond Brazil with the work of various Brazilian funk MCs and producers gaining wider attention in recent years across the US, Europe and other parts of Latin America, among other places. Last year, Nyege Nyege Tapes released an album from Bel Horizonte funk producer DJ Anderson do Paraíso, titled 'Queridão, while NTS also spotlighted the sound with the compilation 'funk.BR - São Paulo'.
Alongside the addition of the Brazilian Funk genre category, Beatport has announced a number of changes to its platform to make it more accessible for Brazilian users.
Subscriptions for Beatport and Beatsource are both being offered in Brazilian Real at a 60% discount, with the site now automatically displaying in Portuguese for users based in the country. A new spotlight page, Discover Brazil, has also been added to highlight artists and sounds emerging from the country.
"Brazilian funk is more than a genre – it's a cultural force with deep electronic roots," said Beatport's VP of Global Curation, Raphael Pujol, in a statement. "After witnessing its electrifying impact firsthand, we knew it was time to bring it to Beatport."
He continued: "As funk's influence spreads worldwide, we're proud to provide a dedicated space for the DJs, artists and labels shaping its future. By launching Funk on Beatport, we aim to elevate the sound, amplify its creators and connect the global dance community with this powerful movement."
Revisit DJ Mag's 2020 feature on Brazil's funk scene here.