“Baile de favela” was released in 2015 and became a landmark of São Paulo funk with an ode to the periphery. Funk also rocked gymnast Rebeca Andrade, daughter of a São Paulo community, at the Tokyo Olympics. But a parody in 2018 gave the song a new meaning: support for Jair Bolsonaro.
In the 2022 election, supporters of Lula and Bolsonaro brought back on the charts two old funks that weren’t written with any political sense but ended up being adopted by both sides. O g1 Reports created to tell the story of the two tracks:
- Vai Dar PT” by MC Rahell was released in 2017 with no partisan relationship (the “PT” in the lyrics is a “total loss”, slang for talk of drunkenness). by Workers Click here to read the report.
- MC João’s “Baile de favela” won a 2018 parody of swearing against the left written by the late MC Reaça. In 2022, an instrumental version went viral on Bolsonarista profiles on TikTok. Read more about them below.
The original lyrics of “Baile de favela” are a far cry from Bolsonaro. It glorifies the dances of Helipa, Marconi, Eliza Maria, Rua Sete, São Rafael and other famous “Quebrada” rivers. It was the big New Year’s Eve hit in Brazil in 20152016, a time when SP Funk was expanding.
The success changed MC João’s life. He grew up on the edge of the North Zone of SP, in Jova Rural, a municipality near Rebeca Andrade, Vila Fátima, in Guarulhos. João lost his father and supported the family since he was 17 years old.
The lyrics also caused controversy due to the line “Go back with the x…burning”. The MC denied that this was an incitement to violence against women. “On the radio I say ‘she came hot’. We’re in the mood, she wants,” he said, defending the character’s approval in the lyrics.
2 of 5 MC João, voice of “Baile de favela”, and R7, producer of the track, at the house of the GR6 company — Photo: Rodrigo Ortega / G1
MC João, voice of “Baile de Favela”, and R7, producer of the track, at the house of the GR6 company — Photo: Rodrigo Ortega / G1
What does Bolsonaro have to do with it?
Tales Volpi, who became known as MC Reaça among Bolsonaro supporters, created a parody of “Baile de favela” that circulated in acts of support during the 2018 election.
The lyrics have curses against the left, especially feminists, called “bitches”: “I give CUT bread with bologna / And the feminists ration in the bowl / The girls on the right are the top ones, prettier / While those on the I have more left for that bitch,” he sings.
In the lyrics he attacks leftwing parliamentarians: “Maria do Rosário doesn’t know how to wash pots / Jandira Feghali has never lived in the favela.”
The musician also criticizes Paulo Freire and praises Olavo de Carvalho: “These youth only degenerate / Take Paulo Freire and send him into the stratosphere / A striker Brazil is what people expect / Let’s distribute Olavo’s book to the boys.”
3 of 5 Tales Volpi took part in demonstrations in support of the government — Photo: Reproduction/Facebook
Tales Volpi took part in demonstrations in support of the government — Photo: Reproduction/Facebook
Tales Volpi, MC Reaça, died on June 1, 2019 at the age of 25. His body was found on Rodovia Dom Pedro I (SP065) in Valinhos (SP). The death was registered as a suicide.
Jair Bolsonaro wrote a regret: “He had a dream to change the country and he bet on my name through his great talent. He will be remembered for his talent, humility and his love for Brazil.”
On the day of his death, Tales’ then 28yearold girlfriend filed a complaint against the musician for assault. The case was registered as assault and domestic violence. The young woman was taken to hospital with swelling of her face and eye and a broken jaw.
Video blocked from Youtube, track missing from Spotify
4 of 5 Video of MC Reaça, Bolsonaro supporter, banned from YouTube for violating hate speech policy — Photo: Reproduction
Video of MC Reaça, Bolsonaro supporter, banned from YouTube for violating hate speech policy — Photo: Reproduction
One of the videos of the song posted by MC Reaça was removed from YouTube for violating the site’s policy against hate speech. There is another version posted by an unofficial channel and has 2.5 million views.
The parody, with lyrics by MC Reaça, does not appear on Spotify, the world’s leading streaming platform, nor on the popular video app TikTok. Nevertheless, a phenomenon happened during the 2022 campaign: instrumental versions of “Baile de favela” went viral on these apps.
Instrumental revival on TikTok
On Spotify, a vocalfree remix of “Baile de favela” released in 2016 by DJs Piero da Vinci and Fr4nk Cr4nk (also without political connotations indicated in the DJs’ remix videos and political material) hit the eve the viral charts of the first round of 2022 voting.
On TikTok, the reason the track went viral is becoming clearer: all the videos it’s being shared in are from supporters of Jair Bolsonaro. There are at least 20,000 recent videos, some with more than 100,000 views, praising the PL candidate. MC Reaça’s lyrics are implied.
O g1 sought out MC João to talk about the track and he said that this remixed version was not authorized for release by him as the original writer. He said he would look to the record company to resolve the situation. He did not want to comment on the political use of his music.
5 of 5 videos on TikTok in support of Bolsonaro with instrumental track from “Baile de favela” — Photo: Reproduction
Videos on TikTok in support of Bolsonaro with instrumental track from “Baile de favela” — Photo: reproduction