"Funk Rave" is a song by Brazilian singer Anitta, recorded for her fourth EP, Funk Generation: A Favela Love Story, (2023), and her sixth studio album, Funk Generation (2024). The song was written by Anitta, Diplo, DJ Gabriel do Borel, Márcio Arantes, and Melymel, with production handled by Diplo, DJ Gabriel do Borel, and Márcio Arantes.
It was released as the first single from the visual EP on June 22, 2023, through Floresta Records, Republic Records, and Universal Latin Entertainment, marking her first release with these labels. The song features a pulsating and infectious beat, characteristic of phonk rhythms, combined with electronic elements and rave influences. The lyrics of "Funk Rave" reflect the energy and vibe of rave parties.[1]
Background and release
In April 2023, Anitta signed with Republic Records after leaving Warner Records.[2] During the 2023 Met Gala, Anitta revealed that her next studio album would be in Spanish and English, inspired by Brazilian funk.[3][4][5] On June 10, 2023, Anitta announced "Funk Rave" on her social media.[6][7] A few days later, she revealed the release date and the single's cover art.[8]
Music video
The music video for "Funk Rave" was filmed at the end of January 2023 in Rio de Janeiro.[9] A video showing the recording of a scene where Anitta simulated oral sex with Brazilian model Yuri Meirelles went viral and sparked controversy.[10][11][12] In an interview with UOL Splash, Anitta commented, "People need to see the final result to understand what it's about. Unfortunately, we can't control people making and sharing videos. What we can hope for now is that people see the outcome of this work. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m an artist who fights for sexual freedom. It’s against hypocrisy. I think that over all these years of my career, I’ve seen a lot of hypocrisy happening".[13][14]
The music video, directed by João Wainer and Ricardo Souza, was released on June 23, 2023.[15][16] It depicts people going about their daily lives in a favela, engaging in activities such as playing soccer, dancing, enjoying the sun, and having a barbecue.[17][18] Near the end of the video, the previously mentioned controversial scene is presented, where Anitta and a young man move to a corner, kiss, and there are insinuations of oral sex. Several shots throughout the video allude to this theme, such as a licked orange, a champagne bottle being opened, and a train repeatedly entering and exiting a tunnel.[19]
Live performances and accolades
Anitta performed a snippet of "Funk Rave" at the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League on June 10, 2023.[20] On August 17, 2023, Anitta performed a medley of "Casi Casi" and "Funk Rave," along with "Used to Be," "Nu," "Vai Vendo," and "Ai Papai" on Domingão com Huck, which aired on August 20, 2023.[21]
