the first famous funk carioca release was a record by dj marlboro in 1989 - called 'funk brasil' this is the record that stimulated the appearance of many more artists and channels for the genre.

the 'baile funk' (funk dance party) in the favelas were gaining a reputation of being some of the best dances in the city, despite the violence that still plagued them - by the mid 1990's, mainstream music media outlets started taking notice and  middle class youths were being drawn to this style.

this triggered a process of commercialization of funk carioca, with tracks being played in major radio stations, television shows and which started sponsoring 'bailes funk' in sometimes massive productions attracting thousands of revelers at a time.