Dennis DJ, the Brazilian producer Bringing Together Karol G & Maluma
Brazilian funk is another of the styles within Latin music, climbing higher and higher
The role of the producer has gained well-deserved prominence in recent years, thanks to influential figures like Bizarrap, Steve Aoki and David Guetta, among others. They play a fundamental part in merging vocals and rhythms to create hits that dominate the charts. One such producer is Dennison de Lima Gomes (born in 1975 in Rio de Janeiro), better known as Dennis DJ, who managed to unite Karol G and Maluma for the remix of his successful «Ta OK.»
This explosive collaboration integrates the flow and versatility of the two urban stars while maintaining the original essence: a very sensual and catchy carioca funk theme that will blend perfectly with the style of Brazilian singer Kevin O Chris. And it is precisely in this realm where Dennis’s trajectory lies—in the national funk scene.
Artists like Anitta have successfully elevated the importance and representation of Brazilian funk on the international stage. This style originated in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, heavily influenced by hip-hop, electronic music, and Miami Bass, a subgenre of rap with powerful erotic content in its lyrics and dance. Dennis DJ’s significant contributions have been in this scene, making him one of the pioneering producers in Brazil.
Some of his hits include «Malandramente» with MC’s Nandinho and Nego Bam, «Vamos a Beber» featuring the popular singer MC Livinho (which also features figures like Ronaldinho), «Medley da Gaiola» also with the popular Kevin O Cris, or «Deixa de Onda» alongside Xamã and Ludmilla, who we also recently seen with the Argentine diva Emilia Mernes in the 2000s throwback «No_Se_Ve.mp3.»
Through these songs, Dennis demonstrates his versatility as an artist, with a great ability to infuse the electrifying rhythm of Brazilian funk into both festive tunes and those that delve into deeper and more complex themes, such as heartbreak.
The Global Success of Latin Music
Of course, it’s impossible to understand the international surge of Latin music in its various forms without analyzing and appreciating the trajectories of the artists mentioned in this article—from Dennis to Karol G, Maluma, and Anitta.
Currently, two main styles are leading the international charts, preserving their unique essence: the urban genre, which brings together a wide fusion of genres like reggaeton, rap, hip-hop, trap, dembow, and cumbia, among others; and Mexican music (previously referred to as «regional Mexica,» a term criticized by some artists like Carín León for being reductive). This includes everything from the corridos tumbados of Peso Pluma and Natanael Cano to Christian Nodal’s mariachi and Grupo Frontera’s cumbia norteña.
We are confident that carioca funk is the next national genre to raise the stakes, with its culturally significant and rhythmic background. Artists like Anitta, Ludmilla and Dennis himself are successfully exporting it beyond Brazil’s borders.
So, are you ready to listen to «Ta Ok – Remix» by Karol G, Maluma, Kevin O Chris and Dennis DJ?