Folly Ghost
DJ | Journalist
Depending on where you’re from, the word ‘baile’ can mean two things. In Ireland, it’s the Irish word for ‘home’. In south-western US and parts of Central and South America, it's the term to describe a gathering of people who collectively dance, sweat and thrust to the sounds of baile funk, also known as funk carioca. The genre is a myriad of afrobeats, hip hop and rap that rippled from Miami and into the favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the early 80s. Synonymous with soundsystem culture, baile funk is an integral part of Brazil’s dance music scene, and for Max Folly, he’s familiar with the throngs of a baile and trademark energy that follows suit.
Playing under the alias of Folly Ghost, Max has been immersed in the heart of baile funk since his childhood, and over the last three years, the Berlin-based artist has flexed funk carioca across the German capital where he now resides. With a collection of robust rhythms that knit together chunky bass, ballroom and tropical house into a vibrant aural tapestry, Max has shared the essence of a baile in BOAR, Tresor West, OHM and YAAM to name a few. As a member of the No Shade collective, Max is also a staunch supporter of female, non-binary and trans artists and encourages mixing and making music in an inclusive environment via workshops and online discussions.
Max is a seasoned speaker and writer when it comes to highlighting matters that are close to home. His recent article for Electronic Beats details how the baile funk scene has been wrongly blamed for the spread of COVID-19 in the sprawling favelas of Rio, and illustrates the disparity between those in power and those in the creative scene who are considered bottom of the barrel. For society ensconced in other pockets of the world and living relatively cushioned lives right now, the article is an uncomfortable but essential account of what is going on outside the bubble.
The below image is plucked from the same article and captures a moment of pure hedonism just before COVID-19 arrived in Brazil. Max recalls it in more detail and explains how he has adjusted to the upheaval of the last few months, the contrast between life in Rio and Berlin, and more…
Photo: Fernanda Liberti
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it?
This photo was taken by Fernanda Liberti, in the baile from Santo Amaro, Rio de Janeiro in March. I hadn’t been in a baile in years and it was very precious to have the chance to be at one before the pandemic hit Brazil. I was playing baile funk on 150bpm or higher and I can’t express how much I missed being in a party like that.
How have you been over the last few months and what's life like in Berlin these days?
I spent most of the severe part of the pandemic in Brazil. When I came back to Berlin the city was already being more relaxed on its restrictions, which made me inevitably compare both realities. Texting my friends in Brazil or just scrolling my social media’s timeline reminds me constantly about how privileged I am just to be here - in the country that has the highest number of intensive care units in the world and a government more committed to protecting its citizens.
Still, living in Berlin can feel like a Twilight Zone episode sometimes. It’s shocking to me that the anti-corona restrictions demonstration had over 20 thousand people in the streets of Berlin last weekend. How can people who have access to what is called quality education go against every logic by joining an event that jeopardises so many lives? Why are hippies marching along nazis? Why are nazis marching with the endorsement of the state? I understand the reasons behind those happenings, but they don’t make the questions any less unsettling. 2020 for me was and still is an emotional rollercoaster.
Looking back over your schedule, you were out playing almost every weekend at various spots in Berlin. Do you miss playing out?
I miss it so bad. Sometimes I play at private parties, but it’s not by far the same thing of feeling the energy of a crowd that’s over 100 people. I play to see people twerking, sweating and rubbing each other. Now I have to adjust to having a small audience wearing masks and trying to stand at a safe distance between each other.
What is it about baile funk that draws you in and where did your interest for baile culture stem from?
I was about 8 years old when I asked my mom for the Rap Brasil 1 vinyl, which is a baile funk compilation that features many hymns of the classic funk carioca. That was the first record I ever had. The genre went through a multitude of changes and developments after that and I just never stopped falling in love with it.
Last month, you wrote an article for Electronic Beats about how the favelas of Rio de Janeiro have had to turn inwards for support due to lack of backing from the government. How has it been for you to see to what's happening in Brazil from your base in Berlin?
The picture I chose is featured in that article. I was there for 3 months and experienced it first hand. Communities in Brazil that are deemed as ignorant and still considered a subculture have still been acting more responsible than the highest political authority in the country. It’s also incredible how people in Germany are oblivious about how good they have it. It’s also hard for me to criticise Brazil without mentioning the contribution of Germany itself and other European countries to the bad situation that my home country finds itself in. European governments and companies profit a lot from authoritarian governments and precariousness from the Global South.
At this moment in time, how do you feel about the future?
I am extremely fearful and skeptical. The far-right has used the pandemic as a platform of promotion worldwide and it has been horrendously efficient. The precariousness of the pandemic has made people comfortable with abuse of power and authoritarian measures.
What’s the one thing that has remained a constant source of comfort or escapism for you throughout the year so far?
I listened to a lot of podcasts and interviews. Kitchen Table talks 4 with Karina Griffith on Reboot was for sure one of the top 10. I also spent hours just listening to music without doing anything else, which is something I usually don’t have so much time for. Keeping in touch with friends helped a lot as well. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for them.
Listen to The Folly Ghost’s latest mix for Avant Radio here and follow him below: