20 Unforgettable Funk Hits

The verses of the song ‘Som de Preto’ by the duo Amilcka e Chocolate define the energy of Brazilian funk, which emerged on the urban peripheries from the electronic beats of DJs and verses by MCs who wanted to sing about life in the favelas, love, sex, drugs, dancing...

A huge success in the 1990s, the duo Claudinho e Buchecha got people of all ages from all over Brazil singing their hits.

A song that gained international attention when sampled by the singer M.I.A., ‘Injeção’ features the classic Rio funk beat with Deize Tigrona singing a double entendre about someone visiting a doctor and needing an injectable medication. "Injection hurts when it pierces / Scratches when it enters / Doctor, this won’t do / My savings can’t handle it.”

Another hit that conquered audiences of all ages was ‘Égua Pocotó’ by MC Serginho e Lacraia. The duo achieved great national success with this song, its iconic choreography, and its simple lyrics: “I’m sending a kiss / To my little daughter and grandmother / I just can’t forget / My little mare Pocotó / Pocotó pocotó pocotó pocotó / My little mare Pocotó.”

The singer Tati Quebra Barraco achieved great national success with ‘Boladona,’ as the song was included in the soundtrack of the soap opera América (2005) on Rede Globo.

While ‘Tédio’ by the band Biquini Cavadão described the monotonous life of a bored young man, the funkeiro Mr. Catra’s reinterpretation took the song in the opposite direction. Describing the outcome of a wild night at the Rio club 4x4, the artist sang: “At 4x4 we have fun / Whisky, energy drinks, so many beautiful women / Things are getting serious / Adultery’s about to happen.”

Released when the singer still went by the stage name MC Beyonce, ‘Fala Mal de Mim’ was the first hit of Ludmilla’s career, achieving a large number of online views.

With a repertoire that includes themes of feminism, politics, drugs, relationships, sex, and daily life, the singer MC Carol from Niterói often includes doses of humor in her songs. In one of her songs that brings together several of these elements, she sings: “My boyfriend is such a sucker / He washes my panties / If he gets too cocky / I send him to the kitchen.”

Anitta has had many hits, captivating not only a Brazilian audience but also fans worldwide.

With over 1.5 million views on YouTube, ‘O Bonde Passou’ is a funk song with shades of pop, made with a guitar base combined with electronic effects. In the self-referential song released in 2013, the artist sings: “The crew passed by / The young girl noticed / Saw MC Gui / This one I’ll chase.”

With autobiographical lyrics, ‘Diamante da Lama’ was one of the first hits of Nego Do Borel’s career, showcasing various elements of ostentation funk throughout the song. In it, the artist sings: “Look at how the crew is, just look, I’m living well / Look at the Mercedes Benz, just look, see the Captiva / Look, I’m laughing non-stop.”

A funk phenomenon who emerged online, MC Brinquedo broke out with a “prohibition funk” that had two sequels, all playing on the word “roça” (farm or countryside). In ‘Roça, Roça 2’ (2016), which has surpassed 240 million views on YouTube, the funkeiro sings: “Look at the girl who didn’t want me / And today she does, does, does / I came from the farm / But succeeded in life / And I’m not on foot, right, right / The gold-digger came by my side / To see what’s up, up, up.”

In the lyrics, the singer declares: “I no longer need to drink / Or smoke marijuana / Your presence gave me a vibe / Your smile gives me a vibe / You sitting down, honey, gave me a vibe.”

Also known for his acting career, Jottapê released his first hit single in 2017, a reimagining of ‘Old Town Road’ by the American rapper Lil Nas X. In the record, which reached No. 4 in the Top 10 most played on Spotify, the artist sings: “And she sat and liked it, bounced and liked it / Twirled for the boss and called me love.”