So you’re a jetsetting, partystartin’ international DJ who has founded your own label, introduced the world to Brazilian dance sensations Bonde do Role, and produced a single for Snoop Dogg. What do you do next? Well, if you’re Diplo, you fly to Brazil and direct a documentary about favela music with creative partner Leandro HBL.
Favela is a name for the Rio slums behind the unique and awesome music known as funk carioca. It combines 80s electrofunk with Brazilian cultural elements, is meant to be cranked up LOOOOUD, and is seriously incredible. Diplo’s film, entitled Favela on Blast (also the name of an earlier mix tape by the man), was an official selection at the South By Southwest film festival in 2009. Diplo and Leandro had to deal with limited funding and translation issues to bring this project to the people, and ‘brought’ it will be when Diplo’s label, Mad Decent, releases the film digitally and on DVD. You can also catch a sneak peak on Pitchfork TV’s “One Week Only,” starting July 9.
• Diplo: http://www.myspace.com/diplo