Ludmilla: The Most Powerful Black Voice in Latin America
Ludmilla is not just one of the biggest icons in Brazilian music. She is the most listened-to and most followed Black artist in Latin America. With a talent that refuses to be confined to a single genre, the Latin Grammy winner moves seamlessly between rhythms, showing the world the strength of a multifaceted, inventive, and deeply Brazilian voice.
Now, the artist ushers in one of her most mature creative moments with the album “Fragmentos“, a project dedicated to R&B that reveals new creative nuances. Featuring major names from global music, the album reinforces her international reach. “Bota”, an explosive collaboration with Emilia and Latto, stands out as one of the highlights, a track designed to set her stages on fire and connect different audiences.
And if there is a setting where this energy reaches its peak, it is Carnival. During this time, Ludmilla transforms cities into a living stage, where body, crowd, and sound vibrate in perfect sync. Fervo da Lud, one of the biggest street blocks in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, is set to once again gather thousands of fans in an edition that honors Brazilian rhythms, celebrating the sonic diversity that also shapes her career.
Living her brightest phase as a mother, the star reinforces her place as a symbol of Black and LGBTQIA+ representation. Her journey breaks boundaries, redefines narratives, and expands the meaning of occupying and transforming culture. Ludmilla commands the present and shapes, with sophistication and courage, the future of music. If you want to learn more about Ludmilla and how her movement is defining a generation, keep reading below!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
What is the importance of Carnival in your artistic journey?
I’ve always loved Carnival. It’s truly one of the times of the year I love the most. Ever since I was a child, the energy of the streets, the loud music, people being together, all of that has always moved me. Having my own bloco was a long-time dream, and being able to make it happen is one of the greatest achievements of my career. Today it’s one of the main street parties in the country, we’ve already broken records in Rio de Janeiro, and that is very special to me. I dedicate myself a lot to delivering an incredible event. I think about every detail, the setlist, the visuals, the experience. And on stage, I have so much fun. The energy that comes from the crowd comes back to me twice as strong.
How did you choose the theme for this Carnival, and which rhythms will guide this celebration?
The theme “Rhythms of Brazil” came from something very natural to me. I’ve always been a versatile artist, and that’s not a strategy, it’s who I am. These are sounds that have been part of my life since childhood. Axé, samba, funk, tecnobrega… all of that was always present at home. I remember clearly that I had a Calypso DVD, and my sister Luane and I would dance in front of the TV, repeating Joelma’s choreographies (laughs). So celebrating these rhythms is also celebrating my story and my musical formation. During Carnival, this takes on even more strength, because it’s the perfect moment to show all this mixture that Brazil is.
When you think about the future, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave, both as an artist and as a person?
I want to be remembered as someone who opened paths without losing her truth. An artist who wasn’t afraid to change, to mix things up, to take risks, to be free, who was brave. That’s it. I see myself as a woman of great courage and as a person, I hope to leave the image of someone who worked hard. Someone who respected her origins, and who used her own voice to inspire other people to believe in their dreams, even when everything seems unlikely.
Has your relationship with music changed after motherhood? In what way has this experience influenced your creative process and the way you express yourself artistically?
It changed a lot. Motherhood actually changed my life in every sense. It made me more sensitive, more attentive to details and to what really matters. Today I sing feeling things that before I couldn’t even explain. My creative process became deeper and more emotional. I think more about what I’m saying, what I’m feeling, and the impact of all of it. It’s as if music gained new layers inside me after the arrival of my Zuzu.
Your album “Fragmentos” brings together special collaborations, including the recent release of “BOTA” with Latto and Emilia. What was it like bringing together artists from such different worlds in a carioca funk track?
“BOTA” is a strong song, with attitude, and it made total sense to share that with women who also carry this message of empowerment in what they do. Latto and Emilia come from different universes, but they have something in common that I admire a lot, which is the confidence with which they occupy their spaces and speak for themselves. It was a very special meeting for me and for the audience, who embraced the song from the very first preview I released.
Can fans expect a special tour to celebrate this project?
“BOTA” is part of the album “Fragmentos”, and this project really makes me want to take the shows in a more intimate direction, in smaller venues, where the exchange with the audience can be even more direct. It’s a natural contrast with “Numanice“, which is a grand project, with a huge structure and designed for very large spaces.
With such an intense schedule of releases and shows, what helps you slow down when it’s time to rest? Is it possible to maintain balance at this pace?
It’s not easy, but I’ve learned to respect my limits. Being at home, being with the people I love, playing football and beach tennis, listening to music without any commitment, sometimes even silence, help me a lot.
At this moment, what is your biggest professional dream?
Today I look at my trajectory and see that I’ve already achieved things that back then, I never imagined would be possible. That makes me have a different relationship with dreams and goals. I don’t have anything very specific in mind, like a fixed goal. What I want is to keep growing without losing my essence, to take my music further and further, to occupy bigger spaces, but always with truth. I don’t pressure myself to be in a place or at a time that isn’t mine, nor do I compare myself to anyone. I prefer to follow my own truth, respect my rhythm, and continue doing what truly touches my heart, with love and pride in the story I’ve built.
What is essential in your day-to-day life and never leaves your side, wherever you are?
My family and my friends, without a doubt. They are the people who support me, encourage me, bring me back to reality when I need it, and celebrate even the smallest achievements with me. Having this circle close keeps my feet on the ground and reminds me of who I am offstage. That’s what sustains me in my daily life.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Brazil Editor: Leonardo Loreto (@leonardoloreto)
Writer: Gillian Caetano (@gilliancaetano)
Photographer: Steffany Lima (@stefflima)
Wardrobe Stylist: Juan Duarte (@juanduarte)
Makeup Artist: Christian Salgueiro
Hair Stylist: Victor Malibu
Public Relations: Melina Tavares Comunicação (@melinatavarescomunicacao)
