Pearls Negras are the teenage Brazilians bringing baile-funk back. The trio hail from the winding streets of Vidigal, a hillside favela overlooking Rio de Janeiro’s coveted Copacabana and Ipanema locales from its vantage point high up the Morro Dois Irmãos. Directed by the 32-year-old carioca (Rio local) director Kayhan Ozmen, the braggadocio-filled film spotlights Mariana Alves, Alice Coelho and Jennifer Loiola’s brand of hip-hop and raw Latin R&B, first dropped earlier this year on their Biggie Apple Mixtape. “They represent the new Brazilian youth who are born in slums, but now have access to the world via internet and social media,” says Ozmen of the 16- and 17-year-old stars. “This reflects on how they see the world: more broadly and beyond the slums. Vidigal is a community of talented artists and musicians and they take in everything the community has to offer them creatively.” The trio’s second mixtape is out next month with European and US tours later in the year. In the meantime, NOWNESS spoke to Mariana, Alice and Jennifer about their rapid rise, musical inspirations, and, of course, the World Cup.

Who are your musical heroines or heroes?
Alice Coelho: Nicky Minaj, because of her awesome attitude and confidence. And I really like Flora Matos and Karol Conka because I see them fighting for their place in the hip-hop world—in Brazil is very difficult as a female to take part. There is a lot of prejudice toward us, but they are breaking through that and we are trying to do the same.

Where did you learn your lyrical flow?
Mariana Alves: The three of us started taking acting classes at [Vidigal theater company] Nós do Morro around 2005, but everything really started when they set up a rapping workshop with [local musician and teacher] Jeckie Brown.

What is the future of Rio, after the World Cup?
MA: The 'Cup is very important but we are also fighting for improvements in our country. If we can have a World Cup, we can also have schools, hospitals and a better living wage.