Getting into the Batida. Book review of: DJs do Guetto Vol. 1

Abstract

In this book, Elliot begins his book with the story of a memory recovery, or 'history lesson' by Príncipe Discos [Prince Records], a Lisbon music label. In 2012, the label re-released, digitally and free of charge, the album DJs do Guetto Vol. 1, originally released in 2006 by the band of the same name. It was the trigger for the musical genre that came to be called batida [beat] and that launched (at least outside the borders of Quinta do Mocho, where they were already known) names such as DJ Nervoso, N. K. Marfox, Fofuxo, Jesse and Pausas. Batida is a musical genre that combines house and techno with African styles such as kuduro, tarraxinha, funaná and quizomba. In mid-2010, batida became the great cultural export of Lisbon and Portugal, making Lisbon a trendy city and the 'gateway' to the latest trends in African music.