Female MCs are changing Brazilian funk music

CAROLINA DE OLIVEIRA LOURENÇO first heard the word “feminism” in 2015 from friends who were taking Brazil’s college entrance exam, on which a question about it appeared. She was 22, and a rising star in the world of carioca funk, throbbing syncopated dance music born in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. A year later, MC Carol, as she is known, released a song called “100% Feminista”. The lyrics describe her tough childhood: “I was five but I already understood/that a woman gets hit if she doesn’t make food,” she rapped. It was a hit. That did not stop nasty comments on social media about her appearance. “It’s not just hard to be a woman singing funk,” says MC Carol, who calls herself black and fat. “It’s hard to be a woman, period.”

Funk, which has roots in American hip hop, is performed mostly by men. Its critics say its lyrics promote misogyny, promiscuity and crime. In 2017 20,000 Brazilians signed a petition calling on congress to declare it—along with bailes funk, massive dances where the music is played at ear-splitting volume—a public-health violation. (The legislature refused.) A particular target is funk proibidão (taboo funk), in which explicit lyrics both glorify and lament violence. Funk ostentação (ostentation funk), which celebrates money and fame, is especially popular in São Paulo.