There is no one who has lived through the dances of the 80s and 90s and does not remember “Spring Love” or “Because I Love You”, or who, even today, does not thrill when “Rap do Silva” begins. The good news is that old school funk is more alive than ever and this time, with a feat that rescues the essence of the rhythm that rocked the best parties in the country. Bob Rum and Stevie B meet in “A Nossa Bandeira”, still without an official release date, but which has already been pumping on the radios.
With over 35 years of career, Stevie B is a reference for the whole world when it comes to funk melody. But in Brazil, the artist’s stardom broke barriers and made the country stand out for Stevie. The “Spring Love” star, who has spent long periods of time in Tupiniquin lands, even declares that he is thinking of putting down roots here.
How do you feel releasing your first song in Portuguese in partnership with Bob Rum? Do you intend to do more work in our language?
It really was a great challenge and a great honor. It’s not easy to sing in another language and capture the feeling in a way that people understand. Feel the same way, like I speak the language.
You experienced resounding success in Brazil, especially in the 90s. Can you tell us a little about your relationship with the country?
My relationship with Brazil was an immediate love affair. With the fans who have embraced me like a superstar since the day I landed. On the same day I landed, I met my Brazilian wife and we’ve been together for over 30 years since that day. So now I call Brazil my first home as we live in Rio. It’s literally where I want to spend the rest of my life. The universe made Brazil love me and made me love Brazil!
For you, what is the main difference between American and Brazilian funk? How do you feel each country’s view on this?
Yes, I think Brazil manages to reinvent itself. Where in the US there is little movement in new artists taking on the genre’s heritage, Brazil has gone through several phases in the last 25 years, and has given birth to a new generation of artists and fans. Anitta, Ludmilla, DJ Dennis and much more. And now you have Bob and I, the first generations of funk melody trying to reinvent themselves, and we have something very special to offer. I think it will show the variations of what funk can do and what it can be. It can go on forever with this kind of passion from the artist and the fans, old and new.
For Bob Rum, the relationship with Stevie comes from an early age, and he reveals that he became an MC after learning about the American’s work. A few years later, Bob was invited to participate in Stevie’s tour in Brazil, “O Baile dos Sonhos”. Even without the official launch, “A Nossa Bandeira” is already pumping on the main radio stations in the country.
Still on the impact of the single and the search for the essence of funk, Bob says that the melody is eternal and the new song comes to promote it. With his career consolidated, the funk artist says that despite the growing success of the song, he is not worried about the result.
How did the idea of inviting Stevie B to “A Nossa Bandeira” come about?
The idea matured in my heart, in the form of gratitude and to honor my greatest inspiration and musical idol (Stevie B), who, to my surprise, accepted the invitation immediately.
You mentioned that your first funk influences were the songs of Stevie B. What was it like to participate in the “O Baile dos Sonhos” tour and have this closeness with an artist that inspired you?
When I was first invited to the event, I didn’t even sleep properly because I was so happy, because I would have the opportunity to get to know my great inspiration up close.
“A Nossa Bandeira” is already being well received on the radios and has conquered a large audience. What is the message behind this song and what impact do you hope to achieve with it?
This song is so profound, that from the first moment I showed it to family and close friends, even before the feedback I could already see tears in my eyes. It stirs feelings and awakens the affective memory of people, who feel represented in the song, and no matter how much the tree grows and its branches lean in different directions, the roots will always be there. We hope to touch people’s souls.
Old school funk has a legion of fans and is still very popular. How do you see the resurgence of this musical style these days?
The funk classics have always been present among us, there isn’t a family party, a party, a ceremonial or even the grandiose shows, that don’t sing at the top of their lungs, the songs that marked their journeys. The parties, the dances, always brought crowds to the meetings, all that was missing was for the spotlight to leave the sameness, and to realize again that there is still an immense consumer public there.
Funk melody is a musical style that has a loyal and passionate audience. How do you see the future of this genre in the Brazilian music scene?
I’m not too attached to labels, but never in past, present or future history, a song that talks about love, that awakens emotion and that stirs feelings, will not be successful, regardless of the artist or genre. That’s funk melody (Funk with melody). It’s indelible!
In addition to being a successful singer, you are also known for your dances, such as “Baile do Silva”. How important are these events to keep the funk culture alive and strengthen the connection with the fans?
When I graduated in business administration and took several specific courses in the areas of digital mkt and events, I had the idea of having the party, with a more entrepreneurial look, based on the experiences that lovers of rhythm needed, comfort, organization, to a pleasurable experience that went beyond a simple show. This traveling party, which travels throughout Brazil and abroad, is proof, as well as others, that well-organized funk is unstoppable.
With a consolidated career and so many successes, what’s your next step? What are your future plans in music?
My goal, after consolidating the project with Stevie, is to make room and discover new talents in the communities, in order to help them fulfill their dreams and provide a better life for their families and loved ones.
Funk is a musical genre that has always generated controversy and criticism. How do you deal with these issues and what message would you like to convey through your music?
It was never a problem for me to defend an ideal that transformed my life and that of many young people from the periphery, for the simple fact of getting together to write music. The more young people are interested in art and culture, the less delinquents there will be in the world. I understand that not everything funk is good, but not everything funk is bad. And my message, my flag … will always be: “Funk is not a fad, it’s a necessity, to silence the moans that exist in this city”.
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