Interviews | Slowboy Talks Virality, Success, & The Future After ‘Brazilian Funk Mano’ [Interview]
Posted by VMan on August 7, 2023
With the fury of a revolutionary, Slowboy has etched his mark in the Phonk universe. The hard-hitting Norwegian maestro has defied expectations and birthed a new sound with “Brazilian Phonk Mano.” The track resonates with the very heart of the genre, imbuing it with a raw, untamed vibrancy.
The Phonk genre, much like rock ‘n’ roll in its early days, has been a bastion for experimentation and audaciousness. Slowboy, Crazy Mano, and lucaf. have taken this malleable form and poured their unique personas into it. The resulting sonic concoction is as electrifying as the raucous punk anthems of yore.
Slowboy’s rapid rise has been marked by serendipity and hard work. His sound emerged just as the world began to recognize the allure of Brazilian Phonk. From Brazil’s clubs to worldwide streams, Slowboy’s take on the genre arrived at the perfect time.
One can draw parallels between Slowboy’s approach and that of the legendary Bob Dylan. Dylan pushed folk beyond its boundaries, and Slowboy, with his dynamic collaborators, is doing the same with Phonk. He’s not only creating music, he’s creating culture.
“Brazilian Phonk Mano” is more than just a track; it’s a cultural shift, an emblem of an era. It’s the sound of a genre that refuses to be pinned down, the soundtrack to a million TikTok videos, and a testament to the power of collaboration. Like Dylan’s anthems, Slowboy’s “Brazilian Phonk Mano” captures the zeitgeist, reflecting the world back to us in a form we’ve never heard before.
We couldn’t help but want to get inside Slowboy’s head, see the interview below where we discuss the sound of Phonk, TikTok virality, label releases, and more.
Exclusive Interview
As a pioneer of the Brazilian Phonk sound, what inspired you to explore this genre?
What inspired me was the general sound and feeling it gave me. It had this really rough, raw and bouncy sound to it which I liked. I love exploring new genres and sounds, which made me try fuse elements of Phonk with Brazilian Funk.
Do you prefer making music with others or on your own?
At the moment I am doing a lot of collaborations which I enjoy, but personally I prefer working on my own from time to time so I can focus on my own personal projects.
Do you prefer being in the studio or on stage?
I’m not really used to being on stage much, so I would say I’m more of a studio type of person. But this may change in the future.
Could you discuss your involvement with labels such as Aurorian Records, Void of Phonk, Black 17 Media, and B1 Recordings?
I witnessed the creation of Aurorian Records and they were the first label team believe in my sound as I was friends with the owner, the same too with Void of Phonk. Other than production, I’m involved with doing some A&R work for them. With the success of Brazilian Phonk Mano came the ability to work more with artists that frequently release under Black 17 Media, so I have released through there a few times too. As for B1 Recordings, they’re a popular label under Sony and got given the opportunity to remix two viral songs under them including ‘Push Up’ by Creeds so it was great working with them for that!
How has your music resonated with audiences on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube?
Scrolling through TikTok with my music showing up a lot of the time, with tracks like ‘Brazilian Phonk Mano’, ‘Life in Rio’ and my recently viral track ‘Oppa’, I like to look at the comments sometimes and people seem to love the songs. The amount of video usage with my tracks and the views across YouTube, TikTok and the dm’s I get on instagram has been incredible. It’s overwhelming the amount of messages and support, but I love it and hope it continues.
How much can your success be attributed to being at the ‘right place at the right time’ in your opinion?
It depends. I think with ‘Brazilian Phonk Mano’, that was a track that was at the right place at the right time. Putting out a track like that which became popular amongst edits and gym-goers before anyone else really shaped its success. That to me was a major ‘right place at the right time’ moment and ultimately kicked things off a lot for me.
What can listeners expect from Slowboy beyond “Brazilian Phonk Mano” in terms of his contribution to the Phonk genre?
I’m still making a lot of Brazilian Phonk/Funk music but also experimenting with other sub-genres of Phonk and EDM as always. I began in the bass music scene and creating other EDM styles, so I’ve got upcoming music with some talented artists mixing these styles with Phonk.
Albums | Late Night Therapy releases “Through Your Eyes”
Posted by VMan on February 14, 2023
Australian produce Late Night Therapy returns on the scene with his new single “Through Your Eyes” and it’s a smash. Creating his own unique blend of electronic music with progressive house elements, in a similar lane to Golden Features, Running Touch and RUFUS DU SOL. Listen to the song above now and read a quote from the artist on the drop below now!
“I wrote this song as an ode to the act of making music itself. The line heard in the intro “Take me there” is referring to the mental flow state I’mtaken to whilst making music. Music for me is an outlet more than anything else.In order to be myself, I need to get in the studio and create. It’s something that I just haveto do, like a typeof Therapy.” ~ Late Night Therapy
Albums | 1tbsp Drops “2007”
Posted by VMan on November 8, 2022
1tbsp is an indie-house project from Australian artist Maxwell Byrne (aka Golden Vessel) which has a sound that can be likened to a mix between Fred Again, Mall Graband Four Tet. His new track “2007” is off of an upcoming project, due out next month. Listen to “2007” by 1tbsp above now and read a quote on the release after the jump!
“This idea started from a day of recording with David Versace (of First Beige), one of the first things he played was this synth line that I knew I wanted to try re-work it and speed up. After almost figuring the song out, George Nicholas (of Seekae) helped with the last few finishing touches. 2007 feelsreally influenced by a monthly club night I was throwing in Brisbane last year called “sumoclic nights” (which both David & I DJ’d). My dance music taste and love for DJing really grew and this track feels like it’s a result of that time.” –1tbsp
Albums | cozy kev Teases Heavier Sound With Incredible New Single “Holy Rain”
Posted by VMan on October 25, 2022
cozy kev is a Chicago-based producer taking listeners on a celestial journey through sound by blending together elements of ethereal future bass, shadowy hip-hop beats, and raw electronic trap. His new track “HOLY RAIN” is a great introduction to his music if you have not yet heard it, so tune in to the song above now and read a quote from cozy kev on the release after the jump!
“The first drop was really intended to make you feel cool. I thought of riding through a city with the top down, just feeling myself haha. The second drop was made to intensify the emotion of the song and really just summarize the whole idea as a constant buildup into that second drop. It gets heavier as well, as I’m trying to show people that I’m gradually getting into a heavier style of music.” – cozy kev
Albums | Shoffy Releases new Album, …Onward & Announces Tour
Posted by VMan on September 22, 2022
Shoffy’s new album …Onward came out a few weeks ago and I am a massive fan of the full thing front to back. The electronic infused pop record is filled with catchy music that is on the cusp of commercial but in the best way. Working on the LP over the past year, Shoffy has been focused on uber focused on creation as of late and is now gearing up for a national tour that starts at this month. A few of my personal favorite songs off of this one are easily “Fade” “Nightmares In NYC” and “Sad Man” but there a ton of great music on it. If you are on the look out for a new album to run through, tune in to …Onward by Shoffy above now.
Albums | Emma Rae Releases Pop Rock single ‘Kids These Days’
Posted by VMan on August 14, 2022
Emma Rae is an upcoming Stamford, CT-based pop vocalist and songwriter. Her upbringing in a house with a jazz trombonist father and vocalist/guitarist mother has heavily influenced her writing and musical ear. Her new single “Kids These Days” has a different sounding vibe to it compared to prior releases, leaning more into the pop punk and rock space but still being grounded in the pop space. Read a quote on the new track below now and check it out above. Enjoy!
“Kids These Days is about the frustration I feel when I think about the kind of world the kids of today are growing up in. I teach music to kids on the side and hearing some of the stuff they think about and go through on a daily basis feels so far removed from how I grew up. Social media plays a massive part in this, they all seem to grow up so much faster than I did. The awkward stage seems to be completely bypassed and the level of maturity needed is much higher than it once was. Its a nostalgic feeling while also feeling anxious, frustrated, and kinda angry. I won’t deny there’s a small jab at GenZ culture in there as well but it’s all in good fun.”
Albums | Elnaaz Norouzi drops “La La Love”
Posted by VMan on August 4, 2022
Iran born, India based actress, model and dancer Elnaaz Norouzi steps into the world of music with her first ever single via “La La Love”. This is the first piece of music (or visuals) I’ve seen by this artist but it was quite impressive, probably due to her modeling/acting background. A catchy song and video right here, so be sure to check out the video for her debut track “La La Love” above now and read a quote from her on the release after the jump!
“La La Love’ to me is my first born. I can’t think much of what the words mean to me but when I think of ‘La La Love’ I remember how my journey of music started and how long it has been that I’ve been holding on to this song before I can show it to the world. “