The acclaimed Brazilian artist Anitta is featured on the December 2024 cover of NOIR Magazine, showcasing her remarkable ascent from the challenging environment of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas to global recognition.
For many girls born in the favelas, pursuing dreams can be daunting due to societal stigma and limited resources. Yet, Larissa de Macedo Machado defied the odds: she transformed from a church choir singer into Anitta, Brazil’s leading contemporary music figure. “I always held onto my dreams. I envisioned being an artist, but growing up in my neighborhood made that seem nearly impossible,” she reflects.
Her passion for funk music—a genre emerging from Rio’s lively urban neighborhoods, infused with elements of hip hop, reggae, and disco—shaped her early inspirations. “One day, I uploaded a funk performance on YouTube, which caught the attention of someone from a record label who invited me for an audition. I succeeded, and after that, I committed myself fully to my musical career,” she shares.
The journey to stardom required immense dedication, starting with performances at small venues throughout Brazil before her music gained international acclaim. Anitta has successfully highlighted Brazil on the global music stage, forging connections that amplify its representation in pop culture.
Her latest albums—Kisses, Versions of Me, and Funk Generation—were released in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, showcasing her commitment to breaking barriers within the industry. These works have played a vital role in reshaping the music landscape, demonstrating the power of music to transcend borders.
“Navigating cultural boundaries poses significant challenges, but they are surmountable. People worldwide are consuming a mix of cultural outputs. Coming from the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the Americas, I understood the importance of learning other languages to ensure a wider audience could appreciate my lyrics and melodies. That’s why I am convinced that music and rhythm can unite different cultures. My intention in releasing multilingual albums was to expand my listener base and ensure everyone felt included,” Anitta elaborates.
She holds the distinction of being “the first Brazilian” to achieve numerous milestones, from topping international charts and gracing festival stages like Coachella to receiving nominations for prestigious awards. Additionally, she played a crucial role in establishing new award categories such as Best Urban Performance in Portuguese.
“I take immense pride in my journey, my origins, and my accomplishments. I believe I serve as a source of inspiration for other women and artists, and I’ve opened pathways for future generations, which carries great significance for me,” she states.
Realizing such achievements as a woman and a Brazilian at her age is no small feat; it necessitated unwavering perseverance, resilience, and commitment. “The most challenging aspect was convincing others to believe in my talent and choices, ensuring they invested in my vision. For a considerable time, I had to rely on myself financially to develop my career,” she reflects.
While her signature dance move, known as “Anitta’s step,” is famous, her advice to her followers that she would like to leave inscribed in the pages of NOIR is profound:
“Viva sua vida com equilíbrio. Nossa vida não é uma corrida,” which translates to Spanish as: “Live your life with balance. Our life is not a race.”
For a unique look into Anitta’s journey and accompanying photographs, pick up the December 2024 edition of NOIR Magazine, now available.
