In more recent years a new genre of music took root in the favelas of the city - funk carioca, which is commonly thought of as a fusion of rap, funk and traditional African beats.

Once again, through this medium, residents have been able to transform their everyday struggles and joys into artistic expression. In the past decades carioca funk has become widely popular across the country, at traditional 'baile funk' parties held in favelas, and on popular radio stations enjoyed by a wide social demographic.

Samba and funk have therefore played an important role in opening up channels of communication between favelas and the wider carioca community, providing a platform through which voices and experiences can be heard and appreciated, and creating respect for the creative potential of community residents.