The singer Tília, known as one of the promises of current music, reinforces the relevance of funk as one of the great genres of Brazilian culture. Amid the success of the single “Ta Ok”, a partnership between Kevin O Chris and Dennis, which reached 1st place on Spotify, the artist emphasizes the personal importance of funk in her artistic career and emphasizes the need to value rhythm as a unique form of genuinely Brazilian musical expression.
For Tília, it is essential that the Brazilian public recognize the power and authenticity of funk, which has become a trademark of the country and is internationally recognized for its contagious sound. The singer highlights moments when global artists incorporated elements of Brazilian funk into their performances, showing that the rhythm crossed borders and gained space in the international music scene.
In this context, Tília praises figures like Anitta, who has contributed to the spread of funk around the world, and celebrates the triumphant return of the genre to the top of the music charts. For the singer, seeing funk again in prominent positions on the charts in Brazil and in other countries is a source of great pride, and she claims that the rhythm is returning to the place where it should never have left.
As you see the importance of funk as a Brazilian cultural expression?
I think it’s very important not only for me, but for everyone to see that funk is part of our culture. We have to be proud when funk arrives in different places, even outside our country. It’s something for us to celebrate, because it left here and people are really enjoying it. We Brazilians are responsible, funk from Brazil, funk from Rio, and from all states, is extremely important and is part of our culture.
What is the personal relevance of funk in your artistic trajectory?
I like funk a lot, I don’t know if it’s because of my parents’ involvement or because I was literally born into this medium, but it’s a genre that involves me a lot and mixes with my career. The beat is really nice, it starts to play and some part of my body starts to move automatically. It’s a genre that I love, that I sing and that I have a very real connection with.
As you he thinks what O public Brazilian. Can you recognize more the power and authenticity of funk?
I believe that the main step is to open more and more space for the genre in all spheres of musical culture, because although funk has reached the TOP 1 on one of the main music platforms, there are still many places to be conquered. It is very important to promote and value funk artists and give visibility and opportunities for their voices to be heard. Furthermore, it is necessary to combat the stereotypes and prejudices associated with funk, so that people can hear the genre and recognize it as the artistic expression that it is.
What are the times when international artists incorporated elements of Brazilian funk and how do you see this as an enhancement of Brazilian culture?
It’s happened a few times and I’m very happy to see that now it’s becoming more and more present. They are international artists recording funk with people from Brazil or recording their own funk music. Recently, The Weeknd released a feature with Travis Scott and Bad Bunny, which has a full funk base and no Brazilians, so it’s really cool to see that happening. Now there is also “Tá OK”, which is a song written by Dennis and Kevin O Chris, which will receive a remix with Maluma and Karol G, that is, it has crossed barriers and reached the world. Seeing them singing funk in Spanish or seeing The Weeknd singing funk in English is really cool. This just proves that we really have to be very proud of our culture.
What is Anitta’s role in spreading funk around the world and how does this impact the image of the genre?
Anitta has a great role, because she is the person who put her face out there to defend funk, who wanted to make an international career and who has been working with all her might to take this genre, which is so much ours, over there. It’s really cool to see her releasing an album in other languages like English and Spanish, but with a lot of funk references. She is a very important figure, not only her, but several other people who are also making the music that gets out there. Kevin O Chris, for example, made a song and then Drake sent a message wanting to be on the single and they made a remix. Now, together with Dennis, he will join forces with Maluma and Karol G. These little pieces, these Brazilians help us a lot to appear abroad. Anitta, without a doubt, is a person who cooperates a lot and is one of the pioneers in doing so.
How do you feel to see the single “Tá Ok” reaching the top of the charts and the resurgence of funk in the music scene?
I’m very happy! We cannot say that funk was forgotten or not played, because in fact it never died, but when we talked about tops, charts, it was not a genre that was very present because there were others that stood out more. Today, seeing funk coming back with everything, with three songs in the Top 5, makes my heart warm, because it’s a motivation for me too. I’m going to release a funk album now and seeing people consuming it is very important. ‘Tá Ok’ stayed in the Top 1 for almost two months and it’s been really cool to follow all of this.
What are the expectations for the future of funk in Brazil and in other countries?
Expectations are that funk will continue to grow! I believe that more and more films and documentaries will appear for people to understand more about the funk genre and culture. I’m really looking forward to watching Claudinho and Buchecha’s film, Dennis’s film, which is my father, which I know is being made, and many others that are being released. Here in Brazil, our role now is to study, to understand that something so similar to us has exploded in the world and that many people helped to be part of it. In other countries, my expectations are that bubbles will break, that many partnerships will happen, and that it can be a genre that is heard all over the world.
How do you define the unique and contagious sound of Brazilian funk?
I believe that the sound of Brazilian funk is marked by its beats and by this very involving rhythm. He brings a unique and contagious energy that makes everyone dance and be happy. Funk is always reinventing itself, it’s always bringing news. There’s that 150BPM that doesn’t stop anyone, there’s the melody that is the most romantic sound, and even the traditional tamborzão is making a comeback. That’s what makes funk so authentic.
What challenges does funk currently face and how to overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges funk faces is prejudice and lack of recognition as a cultural expression. Even today, even with funk pumping on the platforms, artists struggle against discrimination on a daily basis. We need to keep working to break these barriers and the stigma that still surrounds funk, which often leads to unequal treatment compared to other musical styles. I think that to overcome this it is necessary to show people the true essence and artistic richness of funk.
How do you believe that funk can contribute to diversity and representativeness in Brazilian music?
Funk has everything to do with diversity and representativeness in Brazilian music, because in addition to the more danceable side, it also brings the reality of communities and shows the experiences of many people. It’s the sound that talks about what the crowd is going through, the dreams, the struggles and the loves, all this with a contagious beat. It’s a genre that opens doors for those who often didn’t have space in the music scene. There are artists from all corners, from all stories! The crowd identifies, feels represented, because it’s our culture, it’s our people there, shining on stage. Furthermore, funk shows that Brazilian music is not just one style, it is not just one thing. It’s a mixture of influences, rhythms, stories, and certainly funk is an important part of it all.
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