Miami Living Magazine features the best Miami has to offer. Click on any magazine below and enjoy. You can download our free app on iTunes. Ideal for iPad and iPhone users.
Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1528579
Fernanda Abreu is a celebrated Brazilian singer, songwriter, and actress known for her dynamic contributions to Brazilian music, particularly in the realms of pop, funk, and samba. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Fernanda began her career in the 1980s as a member of the iconic band Blitz, which gained significant popularity across Brazil. After leaving the band, she launched a successful solo career, achieving major hits with songs like “Rio 40 Graus” and “Veneno da Lata.” Her music often blends urban rhythms with electronic elements, solidifying her status as a key figure in the evolution of Brazilian pop music. Recently, Fernanda captivated audiences with her performance at the Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival held in Miami. Known for her engaging stage presence and eclectic musical style, she brought a vibrant taste of Brazil to the city, showcasing her unique blend of samba, funk, and pop music. During her performance, she delivered a setlist that included her greatest hits, resonating with both Brazilian expatriates and the diverse Miami audience. Fernanda’s music reflects themes of love, urban life, and cultural identity, making her a perfect fit for the festival, which celebrates Brazilian cinema and culture. In an exclusive interview with Miami Living Magazine, Fernanda shared insights into her musical journey, the evolution of Brazilian music, and her experiences connecting with audiences globally. ML: You are known for blending urban rhythms like funk and samba with electronic music. How do you see the evolution of these styles in Brazilian music over the years? Fernanda: Samba is the official and traditional music of Brazil. Funk Carioca began in September 1989 with the release of DJ Marlboro’s album “Funk Brasil.” When I released the album “SLA Radical Dance Disco Club” in 1990, I introduced a new sound, and today that album is considered the precursor to Brazilian dance-pop music precisely because I mixed electronic production with our rhythms like Funk Carioca, a hint of samba, hip hop, rap, and disco music, giving a Brazilian accent to the sound. Since then, many styles have blended, as this is a characteristic of Brazilian music. We are anthropophagic, as Mario de Andrade said. And since Brazil is very large with diverse cultural characteristics, it may be one of the richest countries musically in terms of rhythms, harmonies, melodies, and poetry. ML:Your solo career started with great success in the ’90s, with hits like “Rio 40 Graus” and “Veneno da Lata.” How do these songs reflect your view of Rio de Janeiro and Carioca culture today, compared to the ’90s? Fernanda: These songs are very current. The lyrics still reflect and translate the city of Rio de Janeiro. It’s incredible, but the song “Rio 40 Graus” could have been written today; it’s that relevant! Rio continues to be the “marvelous city, purgatory of beauty and chaos.” As for the song “Veneno da Lata,” besides the lyrics that translate our daily lives, it has a very modern musical production and is a perfect translation of the samba-funk blend. Its arrangement mixes electronic timbres and beats along with samples from pop instruments like bass, guitar, keyboards, and instruments from Samba schools like cuíca, tamborim, repinique, and surdo. This song is the synthesis of my Samba-Funk-Pop. ML: In your show “Amor Geral,” you present major hits from your career. What was the experience of creating this show, and what does it represent for you in terms of message and performance? Fernanda: The show “Amor Geral” was initially created to showcase the songs from my new album of the same name. However, after the pandemic, with the return of shows and a large number of music festivals, I adapted the show to include more hits from my 34 years of solo career. However, the message of the show remains: it is a response to the world we are living in, filled with people spreading hate on social media and in real life. For me, love is the antidote and the most powerful response to live with respect for individual and collective freedoms in society. ML: You began your journey in the legendary band Blitz in the ’80s. What were the biggest challenges and lessons in transitioning to a solo career?