Papatinho Shows Off His Brazilian Funk Roots With New Album ‘MPC’

Brazilian producer Papatinho, known for collaborations with artists such as Snoop Dogg and Shakira, has released a new album, MPC (Música Popular Carioca). The project serves as a tribute to Rio de Janeiro’s funk music. The album’s title refers both to “Carioca Popular Music” and the MPC audio sampler, a tool used in the album’s production.

The album is a return to the foundational sounds of Rio’s baile funk culture, uniting artists from different generations. It includes both funk pioneers like MC Marcinho and MC Carol, and contemporary artists such as Anitta and MC Cabelinho. The album’s sound references the influence of Miami bass music on early Rio funk. “I grew up listening to funk, and this is a genre I produced entirely on the MPC”, Papatinho noted, highlighting the instrument’s role in the album’s creation.

The production process for MPC aimed to capture the essence of the genre’s origins. Papatinho recorded the entire album using a dynamic microphone, which allowed him to record in various locations. This approach led him to record artists in their own neighborhoods, including sessions with Cidinho in Cidade de Deus and Duda do Borel in a bar in Borel’s Favela. This process, as documented in an unreleased visual archive, became central to the project’s concept.

“I feel fulfilled to have done something for this generation, the first generation of funk artists.”

He stated that the project seeks to ensure their contributions are acknowledged and respected by both current and international audiences. For Papatinho, the project’s most significant accomplishment is its impact on the music community. “I’ve never received so many positive messages,” he reflected. “The approval has been surreal.”