RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Anitta, a renowned pop star from Brazil, is set to make her mark on the grand stage of the Sambadrome for the first time. The 31-year-old artist has taken on a new challenge this year by stepping into the role of a songwriter for a Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, alongside some of Brazil’s most esteemed samba artists.
Anitta has contributed her songwriting talents to the Unidos da Tijuca samba school, which will kick off the parade on Monday, the second night of the festivities. Each samba school is tasked with presenting a song that encapsulates the theme of their costumes and floats, played continuously for up to 80 minutes.
The theme chosen by Unidos da Tijuca revolves around Logun Edé, a deity from Afro-Brazilian religions symbolizing a force of nature. Despite facing backlash last year for her tribute to the Afro-Brazilian religion of Candomble, Anitta remains dedicated to promoting cultural awareness through her music. The lyrics of the song include lines like “With intense brightness/ I challenge the consensus/ restless and intense/ I am Logun-Edé.”
As the artists paraded alongside Unidos da Tijuca, adorned in the school’s signature yellow and blue colors representing Logun Edé and the Borel Hill community, Anitta was in transit after a prior event in Sao Paulo. Despite her absence during the parade, fans eagerly awaited her presence.
Anitta’s busy Carnival schedule includes leading massive street parties in Salvador and Sao Luis, drawing in crowds of hundreds of thousands. Her commitment to both music and Carnival festivities has solidified her status as a top Brazilian music writer, with the results of Rio’s Carnival eagerly anticipated by fans and participants alike.
Whether Tijuca emerges victorious or not, Anitta’s star power will shine bright as she continues to captivate audiences with her music and performances.
26. “We will indeed make history, I have full confidence,” Sá Pessoa reported from São Paulo. For more updates on Latin America and the Caribbean, follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america.
