Henry Petrillo: What is your favorite part of the Brazilian music scene?
Anitta: Without a doubt, funk carioca. It is the sauce that I drink daily. I love seeing and listening to new artists of that genre, getting involved with new beats and lyrics. Funk says a lot about the periphery and favelas (slums). The Brazilian way of seeing things and our sensuality. There is no way to stand still listening to the funk beat.
HP: What inspired the Middle Eastern influences on your latest single, ‘Loco’?
A: In fact, music production always seeks elements to compose music, something that gives life and movement within what makes sense to the producer. I believe that in research, production saw sense in the beats and elements that make up ‘Loco’.
HP: Where did the idea for the music video for ‘Loco’ come from?
A: I was on vacation in Aspen and, one day, going down a mountain listening to the song alone, I thought how incredible it would be to bring something crazy to this scenario. I thought of girls in bikinis going down the mountain, enjoying parties on the edge of the track. Only two days after that moment we started making the video in Aspen. I made my team crazy.
HP: When did you first start writing music? What has been the most important aspect growth you’ve experienced as a musician?
A: Since always. The music in my life came from a very young age. I used to sing in the choir of my church, where my grandfather was responsible for music. Soon after, in love with funk, I decided to write lyrics that made sense to me, that reflected my state of mind and everything that I thought an empowered woman should externalize. I believe that my first album was a unique experience as a songwriter. There I recognize myself as an artist and establish my identity.
HP: Why do you think music from Latin America has started entering the mainstream now as opposed to before?
A: I believe this has to do with social and political factors. The strength of Latinos worldwide who are speaking up and growing as the world realizes the richness of culture and the importance of the Latin people, which has often been in a subjugated situation. A new generation of Latin artists represent the growth of the Latin people and helps to inspire more confidence in our power and ability to occupy spaces in the mainstream.