10 Best Crossover Baile Funk Records, according to Mu540

Brazilian DJ and producer Mu540, a trailblazer in São Paulo’s baile funk scene, is reshaping Brazil’s underground sound for global audiences.  

Next week, Mu540 is set to release a single with local artist Garimpo. 'DZ7' is inspired by the vibrant, rebellious atmosphere of São Paulo’s DZ7 party. 

Known for fusing the gritty essence of baile funk with house music's structure, Mu540 aims to bridge Brazil’s music scenes, from favela-born funk to mainstream club culture. 

Dive in to Mu540's 10 Best Baile Funk Records, hand selected by the innovator himself...

"This song is a homogeneous mix of mandela (São Paulo’s baile funk sound, prior to it evolving into its current state which is entitled “Automotivo”), with UK Drill, and maybe one of my biggest releases in that lane. It also has the sounds from Tetris, which adds nostalgia as it was a very common sample in early baile funk sounds from Rio."

"This is a baile funk tune produced on a classic house 4x4 grid, and bass shots. I’ll always be really proud of this track as not only did it do amazing numbers without any promo, but it became a favourite within the DJ scene, many edits and bootlegs were made, and it also reached a variety of favela “bailes” which rarely play house leaning beats."

"This was me stepping out of my comfort zone a little bit, or trying to do a mix I hadn’t done before. São Paulo Baile Funk and Rio de Janeiro Baile Funk are completely different sounds - whilst the São Paulo sound keeps getting more and more electronic and experimental, Rio de Janeiro seems to always keep closer to its roots, they tend to have a very percussive sound. So for this song, I’ve mixed the Rio de Janeiro baile funk’s “macumbinha” percussions with Jersey club, and also added some very classical sounding violins - as I wanted that contrast between classical and ghetto sounds."

"I love the way this song flips on its head - it almost sounds like a “french touch” type sample, but then completely switches to the São Paulo funk ritmado style. The 4x4 house kick works perfectly with São Paulo’s funk."

"Energetic and spooky, this is a very Trap with Baile Funk for you to dance in the traditional “passinho do romano style” (for those who’re not familiar- look it up, it’s an unforgetable page in baile funk history)."

"A proper DJ Club Tool banger straight from South São Paulo - a mix of the funk “bruxaria” with Psy Trance. Reading out loud, it seems like a mix that may not make sense - but always works on the dance floor."

"A very dynamic song, heading into a harder style of music. A dark sound, for those late sets, mixing heavy techno with percussive elements of Rio’s baile funk."

"We love the slower bpm, slow wine tunes. This absolute banger mixes dancehall with São Paulo baile funk - the beat is dirty, the lyrics are dirty, and it’s a perfect middle ground between the two genres."

"This is another mix I had done with Jersey Club, but this time bringing the São Paulo sounds - bruxaria style straight from Baile do Helipa."

"A random encounter that was super fun to make. Hard Rock with Ska, Jersey Club, Funk Carioca percussions, everything blended in together just shows that when the music is from the ghetto, there’s always a way to make the work together and find their way home."

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