Dominic Patrick da Costa-Maha, better known as MC Maha , is one of the greatest voices in Brazilian funk, bringing a unique mix of geek culture references with the irreverence of the genre. Born in Trinidad and Tobago and based in Sobradinho (DF), the artist became known with the parody “Harry Porra e a Bruxinha Rabuda”, which went viral on social media and consolidated his identity as a pioneer of “geek funk”. After a career that included stints as a model, actor and even a career in axé, MC Maha has enchanted audiences with his comical and creative lyrics, always bringing universes such as Dragon Ball Z, Naruto and Game of Thrones Thrones for the dance floor. With recent releases such as ” Eita Saudade” and “Carnaval do Sukuna “, he continues to innovate and expand his presence in the Brazilian music scene, celebrating the fusion of pop and funk cultures with authenticity and great humor.
Which song do you consider the most challenging to make to date, whether because of the lyrics, melody or even its production? And which one was the easiest, the one that flowed quickly?
The hardest one to do was ” Automotive Evangelion “, from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion , because of the complexity of the anime itself. And the easiest one, which flowed quickly, was Bettina’s funk, which was a meme that was trending at the time.
You’ve already parodied several geek franchises. Is there any nerd universe that you haven’t explored in your songs yet that you’d love to turn into a hit?
One universe that I would really like to explore musically, but haven’t managed to do so yet, is that of Rick and Morty .
Besides music, do you have any other hobbies or passions that mix with this geek universe, like cosplay, games or comics?
Aside from music, I’ve always loved acting. I even studied theater for a while, but I ended up dropping out because, at the time, I was having trouble balancing college with work.
Talking about the shows: you will perform in Fortaleza and Recife to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Bailão Nerd. What can we expect from these special editions?
What you can expect from any of my shows is that I will do everything with my soul. I think that when we put our heart into things, the chances of something more beautiful coming out are always greater.
How do you see the growth of dances and themed parties aimed at this nerdy audience? Do you think this opens more doors for artists to create outside the box?
I think it does open doors, especially for those of us in this field, who didn’t have much space to perform.
In “ Eita Saudade”, you mix Afrobeats with baião, two styles with very strong roots and very different from the funk you usually do. Is this musical style something you already enjoyed before? Did you have any special preparation or study to face this fusion? And, do you think about gradually migrating to a sound more focused on Afrobeats ?
The song ” Eita Saudade” was a composition I composed for myself. It was a song I played when I wanted to be at peace, and the baião style brings that to me. Mixing afrobeat came naturally during the production process, because I really like that style. When I saw the possibility of combining the two without losing the essence of the song, I thought it was incredible.
After “Harry Porra e a Bruxinha Rabuda”, your name became synonymous with creativity in geek funk. Today, do you feel freer or more pressured to innovate with each release?
I feel a bit trapped by the constant need to deliver something creative, but at the same time free to be as ridiculous as possible as well. It’s a forked road.
Nowadays, we live in an increasingly critical environment, where practically everything we say, both in art and in our own expression, ends up becoming the target of criticism. How have you dealt with these issues in your productions, especially with parodies that are intended to convey a more humorous tone?
In the case of Harry Porra, which was the first song to explode and the one with the greatest reach, I realized the proportion when I saw Whindersson posting ” Wingardiim Levi rolo” on Twitter and when Felipe Neto made a reaction .
Many of your productions have caught the attention of not only the general public but also other content creators in the digital scene, such as “ react ” videos, “covers”, among other models that are very successful. When did you realize the scale that your work was reaching and how did you react to this repercussion?
Oh, people come and insult me all the time, but when I’m not being criticized, it’s because I’m not reaching limits outside the bubble. Those who follow me like it. So, ” hate ” for me is an indication of growth.
The funk genre originated in the mid-1960s in the US, and in the 80s/90s in Brazil, mainly in the outskirts, and despite all its history and great representatives, it has always suffered and continues to suffer prejudice to this day. In your opinion as an artist, what would be the main reason for this prejudice and what do you think the funk scene is like today?
Funk is a style that does not demand the standard stereotypes that other styles impose on the market. To be a funk singer, you do not need to be handsome, educated or have singing lessons. You just need to find your rhythm, use your voice and energy and infect people. This opens up space for even those who do not have the opportunities or resources to improve themselves to still be able to achieve success with willpower and captivating talent.
It is inclusive. And people who are generally more attached to an elitist ideology tend to attack the style because it carries the stereotype of the favela dweller, the poor, the black, who is still struggling to overcome this stigma of negativity. A stigma that is basically linked to our internal cultural racism, descended from the colonialist psyche, and that we are gradually understanding and trying to free ourselves from.
Follow MC Maha on Instagram
*Interview in collaboration with Regina Soares