Bonde do Role and Flosstradamus in Atlanta, Saturday, March 24, 2007
Hot jams and a hot flash aren’t lost in translation
By Emily Karcher
Published: March 30th, 2007 | 11:25pm
On Saturday, March 24, 2007, a diverse crowd of art school hipsters, hairdressers, and throwback hip-hoppers descended upon Atlanta’s MJQ Concourse, a club that is underground both figuratively and literally (as it’s located below street level and no sign advertises its presence). The mixed crowd had one thing in common: they came to dance.
Almost immediately after midnight, the three members of Brazilian baile funk band Bonde Do Role appeared on stage, shouting out Portuguese lyrics over catchy samples. No translation was necessary as the crowd immediately erupted into boisterous dancing which continued throughout the set. They sampled everything from AC/DC and Alice in Chains to the soundtracks of Grease and Rocky, making every song familiar regardless of language. Their sound is reminiscent of Peaches and M.I.A., which isn’t a surprise: the band hails from Mad Decent, the label owned by M.I.A. collaborator Diplo.
Bonde do Role’s Marina, in lycra pants, leg warmers, and sex appeal to spare, danced through the set along with fellow MCs Pedro and Gorky. The trio cheerleaded for crowd participation with the kind of sweat and energy usually reserved for punk rock house shows. Band members exchanged wicked grins and an onstage humor reminiscent of Sasha Cohen.
Before playing “Solta o Frango,” Marina explained the title loosely translated to “Release the Cock.” Much crotch grabbing and mock sexualized antics ensued as they played the crowd favorite. Marina even flashed the crowd: a move the boys in the band proclaimed they hadn’t been seen in two years.
Bonde do Role left the crowd chanting “Tear the club up…tear the fucking club up” as the Chicago DJ duo Flosstradamus appeared, ready to take over the enthusiastic crowd. The two young DJs (Curt Cameruci and Josh Young, separately known as Autobot, and DJ J2K) had many girls swooning over their good looks and b-boy attire of track jackets, House of Holland tees and RUN DMC-worthy gold chains.
Seamlessly, the boys worked their magic on three turntables. Their mashed up sound brought the crowd unexpected mixes of everything from brit-pop to hip hop, with the odd ‘90s dance hit or Phil Spector sound thrown in. Flosstradamus’ MJQ appearance packed indie rockers next to club kids, all moving with their hands in the air.
The set was a fun, refreshing taste of music without pretension. The Chicago duo’s unique sound leaves no one out, making even the most ardent wallflower wanna dance.
Issue #31
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