MC João introduced SP funk to the world with 'Baile de Favela' If today the aesthetics and image of a street funk dance in São Paulo are widely known throughout the country, this is largely due to one name: MC João, author of the hit "Baile de Favela". This article is part of the series "20 hits in 20 years", which is on GloboPop, Globo's new vertical short video application, available for free on your cell phone. On the app, you can follow the "20 hits in 20 years" stage so you don't miss any episode. Download GloboPop here! A decade ago, the funk scene in São Paulo was undergoing a profound transformation. After the peak of ostentatious funk, marked by lyrics about gold chains and imported cars, the genre opened space for a new generation that decided to talk about sex. MC João emerged precisely during this transition. The compositions left luxury consumption aside to focus on relationships and sexuality in an explicit way. The mix of rap and funk The structure of "Baile de Favela" is based on two fundamental pillars of São Paulo's peripheral culture. The first is the direct mention of several communities in São Paulo, such as Helipa, Marcone and São Rafael. This practice of mapping and saluting territories is a direct legacy of national rap, a technique in which groups like Racionais MCs and RZO became masters between the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s. The second pillar is explicit sexual content. The song's chorus, which describes a physical reaction after a relationship with the track's producer, DJ R7, generated strong controversy at the time of its release. MC João, voice of 'Baile de favela', and R7, producer of the track, at the house of the company GR6 Rodrigo Ortega / G1 Some of the critics even pointed out that the composition encouraged rape. In an interview with g1 at the time, the funk singer defended the work, explaining that the lyrics portrayed an entirely consensual relationship. The song's music video, released on KondZilla's channel, established a visual milestone for the movement. In the scenes, MC João appears in a car alongside funk artists Dynho Alves, MC Menor da VG, MC Brisola and MC Kevin. By getting out of the vehicle and opening the trunk with the car stereo, he symbolically starts the dance in the community. The audiovisual recording was so strong that it began to translate the experience of a São Paulo street dance, like the one at DZ7, for those who had never been present. The legacy of "Baile de Favela" Rebeca Andrade stood out at the Tokyo Olympics with 'Baile de Favela' Reuters/Dylan Martinez The track crossed borders. With the support of a light version, without swear words, MC João went on international tours, presenting the new identity of Brazilian funk to the planet. Years later, in 2021, the hit returned to the global spotlight through sport. Gymnast Rebeca Andrade used the song in her floor performance during the Tokyo Olympic Games, where she won the silver medal. After "Baile de Favela", MC João scored other successes on the funk circuit, although without the same global reach as the 2015 hit. In 2021, the artist expanded his activities in the music market by becoming a businessman and founding his own production company. The cultural impact of "Baile de Favela", however, remains active. The historic success of the track paved the way for São Paulo funk to repeatedly establish itself in the top positions of current charts, such as Spotify's Top 50. MC João, from 'Baile de favela', who now launches Baile de Favela Records Disclosure