PEDRO SAMPAIO WILL MAKE YOU DANCE
He makes everyone dance! Pedro Sampaio is undoubtedly the king of the party. When his songs play, no one can stand still. Pedro just released his newest album “Astro“, a body of work that highlights his versatility and reinforces what everyone already knows, Pedro is a star who is shining brighter and brighter! This album shows the singer’s ability to move through different genres and sounds, always with the contagious energy that has already become his trademark. Along with amazing songs and features, keep reading to learn all about the DJ that keeps the party going!
HOW DOES THE INTERNET IMPACT ON YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS WHEN PRODUCING MUSIC? WITH THE UNDENIABLE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERNET IN THE SUCCESS OF A SONG, HOW DO YOU BELIEVE IT INFLUENCES YOUR ARTISTIC CHOICES AND THE WAY YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE?
The internet is certainly a very important medium in my creative process, both for finding references and for promotion. I can keep up with trends, understand what people are listening to, dancing to, enjoying, and I always try to balance it so that I don’t lose my essence. But the best part is getting closer to the public, being able to be in contact with my fans, seeing them dancing to my songs, enjoying them, it’s very gratifying.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A STAR NOWADAYS, IN A SCENARIO WHERE EXPOSURE ON SOCIAL NETWORKS AND THE DIRECT CONNECTION WITH FANS PLAY SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE?
The meaning of being a star for me is exactly the concept I wanted to convey with my album, which is to give and receive light. Just as you are influenced and enlightened by people, you also influence and enlighten people. Being an example of empathy, generosity and kindness to my fans is everything!
A concrete example was what happened to Thiago, who sings “PRECE” with me. I was arriving on the coast of São Paulo at the beginning of the year when, amidst the voices of his fans, I heard him say that he was a singer, and I asked him to sing.
I was delighted on the spot, I made a beat for the song and invited him to sing in the show with me and I even put the song on the record. Because that’s what it’s about for me, it’s this exchange between human beings, it’s understanding that someone has already done something for you and you can do something for others.
WHAT WAS THE PROCESS COMING OUT AS BISEXUAL LIKE FOR YOU, AND WHEN DID YOU FEEL IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO SHARE THIS WITH THE WORLD?
It was a smooth process. My family and the people closest to me already knew. I felt the need to open up to the public the moment rumors about my relationship began to spread. What I didn’t want was for them to tell my story for me, I wanted to be in control of my narrative. And that’s what I did with the “tea party” at Lollapalooza Brazil (laughs). I took charge of the situation and assumed my bisexuality for myself.
Regata Nike no Brechó Minha Avó Tinha Macacão, Felipe Fanaia Bota, Ferragamo Óculos, Balenciaga (Protus Group Br)
STARS APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR OVER TIME. DO YOU IMAGINE YOURSELF MAKING MUSIC FOREVER, OR DO YOU FEEL THAT THERE IS CONSTANT PRESSURE TO STAY ON TOP OF THE INDUSTRY?
There is pressure, no doubt about it, but music is my great passion. I knew from the age of 13 that this was what I wanted to do with my life, I just didn’t know how. I learned to play in a bucket, at home, and I started venturing out. The next thing I knew I was DJing at my friends’ parties, graduations, and the rest is history (laughs).
DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS TO EXPAND YOUR ART TO OTHER COUNTRIES? AND IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANY ARTIST FOR A DREAM PARTNERSHIP, WHO WOULD IT BE?
I feel like I’m already taking my first steps in this direction, and my last tour of Europe shows that. I toured ten cities in eight countries, and I think this is just the beginning of the long road I want to travel. I even went into a store in Amsterdam and there was “DANÇARINA” playing, I freaked out! To see my music gradually reaching other countries is very special, and I want to take funk to more and more places.
This song broke a record in Portugal as the one that stayed in first place in the charts for the longest time, while “DANÇARINA Remix“, for example, was played on radio stations in France and was among the most listened to songs in the country for months…. so I feel I’m on the right track. J Balvin is an artist who has inspired my career in many ways, not just musically but artistically too.
Through his work I’ve been able to see the importance of the visuals, the clips, the looks, the whole concept behind the releases. And having his partnership on my album “ASTRO” is a dream come true for me.
And after my Euro Tour, I started listening to a lot of local music from the countries I visited. A feat with GIMS, from France, would be AMAZING. Collaborations with FloyyMenor, Rauw Alejandro and Karol G would be awesome too.
WHAT CAN THE PUBLIC EXPECT FROM YOUR NEW WORK? IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL OR DIFFERENT YOU’D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT?
“ASTRO” is an album that values partnerships and has as its concept the exchange of light between people. J Balvin, as I’ve already mentioned, is someone who inspires me a lot artistically and I was honored to have him participate in the album. And at the same time there’s the song with MC Thiago, who is a very young singer, starting out on his career, and I was able to give him light, just as Balvin gave me light.
Another partner I made a point of bringing onto the project was Luisa Sonza, with whom I had already collaborated on “ATENÇÃO“. We work very well together, we’re friends and our relationship goes beyond music. We’re both at very different points in our careers than we were two years ago and that shows in “FAMA”. And we can’t fail to mention the incredible presence of Marina Sena, who has a unique voice and brings a whole sensuality to the song, which she interprets wonderfully well.
As for the sound, I tried to mix different Brazilian rhythms, but with funk as the predominant rhythm in the songs, of course. I love experimenting, but funk is my essence, it’s in my DNA. Another point that I think is important is “MINHA VIDA“, which I think surprised the public because it’s just a song with voice and guitar, no autotune, no beat. It’s something I’ve never done before and it shows a more raw, intimate side of me.
Blazer, Apartamento 03 Calça, João Pimenta Bota, Ferragamo Óculos, Balenciaga (Protus Group Br)
FUNK IS GAINING MORE AND MORE GROUND IN THE WORLD, AND YOU’RE ALREADY A REFERENCE IN THIS STYLE. WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES WITHIN FUNK?
Wow, there are so many! Funk is a rhythm with so many strands and with incredible artists who have changed history. Anitta, of course, is one of the biggest representatives of the genre worldwide and she’s a friend who has encouraged and helped me since the beginning of my career. Bonde das Maravilhas, Mr. Catra, MC Sapao are other names that have a lot of influence on my work. Dennis helped me a lot at the beginning, so it’s impossible not to mention him as one of my main references too.
WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING AN LGBTQ+ ARTIST IN BRAZIL?
It’s not easy being an LGBTQIAP+ person in Brazil, period. Brazil is the country with the highest mortality rate of people from the community, so coming out is a real act of courage. As an artist, I’m very happy to be able to raise this flag, give more visibility to the cause and fight against prejudice more and more. I’m very proud of who I am. So many before me have paved the way for us to occupy the places we occupy today, the least I can do is try to honor the place we’ve won.
WHAT SONG MAKES YOU FEEL SEXY WHEN YOU LISTEN TO IT?
At the moment, “ESCADA DO PRÉDIO“, which is a very sensual song and, with Marina Sena’s voice and interpretation, even more so. And also “FETICHE”, my feat with Carolzinha on the album. It’s a super sexy song that raises the temperature anywhere! (laughs)
Camisa, casaco, calça e bota, Ferragamo Tênis, Adidas Colar no cadarço de tênis, Nilme
WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO PERFORM FOR A CROWD AT ROCK IN RIO LISBOA?
It was one of the best days of my life! Playing a show outside my home country is already very special, but seeing all those people there, singing my songs, and on top of that breaking the attendance record for the Galp Stage, was very exciting. I’m very well received in Portugal, my fans there are incredible and follow me even from afar. I love being able to repay this affection by giving them my best on stage.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BRAZIL?
Man, I can’t give up that homemade Brazilian food, rice, beans, meat and French fries, you know? I love coconut water, açaí, typical Brazilian fruit, which is never missing from my dressing room. Oh, and of course the typical Brazilian coffee too, the freshly brewed kind. These are my favorite things. And what I love most about Brazil are the people. Here people are warm, cheerful and have a different kind of energy. It’s great to be Brazilian!
WHO IS YOUR ETERNAL CRUSH?
Oh, my boyfriend, right? (laughs)
Blazer, Apartamento 03 Calça, João Pimenta Bota, Ferragamo Óculos, Balenciaga (Protus Group Br)
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Interviewer: Gillian Caetano (@gcaetanocomunicacao)
Photographer: Gabriel Renné (@gabrielrenne)
Cover Art Design: Carlos Graciano (@sadpapi666)
Photography Assistant: Felipe Castelani (@fecastelani)
Photography Retoucher: Fábio Júnior (@affbio)
Creative Direction & Editor Market: Leonardo Loreto (@leonardoloreto)
Grooming: Augusto Allencar (@augustoallencar)
Wardrobe Stylist: Marcell Maia (@marcellmaia)
Fashion Production: Kauany Valin (@kauany.valin)
Fashion Production: Moni Maciel (@monimaciel)
Fashion Production: Silvana Dos Santos Moura (@silmoura.iam)
