MARCELA BIONDO: RHYTHM, IDENTITY, AND THE SOUND OF A NEW ERA
- Matheus Hooks/ Editor-In-Chief
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
'USA' EDITION COVER - NOVEMBER 2025 ISSUE
Photographed in New York, Marcela Biondo graces the cover of the USA edition with the confidence and radiance of someone who has turned her art into a global movement. DJ, producer, and visionary, she represents a generation that sees music not just as sound, but as a language — a bridge between cultures, rhythms, and stories.
The Sound That Crosses Borders
When Marcela steps onto the stage, something happens. The crowd gives in to the beat, even without understanding every word — and that’s exactly where the power of her work lies. “Funk has an infectious energy and a very strong identity. People connect with the rhythm. It shows that music is a universal language,” she says.
With a career built on courage and authenticity, Marcela found her place in the American music scene by revealing the power of beats that celebrate freedom and belonging. “When I arrived in the United States, I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew that funk had something unique to offer. Today, seeing the American audience connect with this sound is one of the greatest rewards of my journey.”
The Brazilian DJ
The title “The Brazilian DJ” has become a symbol of the artist — more than a nickname, it’s a sonic identity. “It’s a way of representing the energy and originality of our culture. Funk is more than just a rhythm; it’s a social expression, a language born in the favelas that has conquered the world.”
Blending Brazilian beats with international influences, Marcela creates a modern and captivating fusion, expanding the reach of funk and proving that the dance floor can be a space of cultural freedom.
I LOVE FAVELA — global beats, local soul
Her new project, I LOVE FAVELA, marks one of the most significant chapters of her career. “I wanted to honor the roots of funk and showcase all the strength and joy that come from the communities. Funk is resistance, creativity, and pride,” she explains.
The track was born from a union of talents: it was written by Tállia (@eutallia_), the songwriter behind some of the genre’s biggest hits; features MC Lone (@mclone_), who has over 3 million listeners on Spotify; and Gabby B (@gabbyb_music), a Miami-based pop artist who sings in four languages.
The single’s cover was created by Rio-based illustrator João Lucas (@jcaslu), while the entire campaign was developed by Alan Richard (@alanrichardz), a specialist in strategic design and digital launches. The music production is signed by DJ Marcela Biondo herself, in collaboration with Lyric Lab (mylyriclab).
“I LOVE FAVELA represents love, identity, and the celebration of who we are. It’s a reminder that our culture can be global without losing its roots,” she summarizes.
A rising name in global music
From performances across several U.S. cities to collaborations with major names in the scene, Marcela has collected unforgettable moments. “One of the most memorable was a show in New York — a packed house, incredible energy, and the feeling of standing on the same stage where great artists have performed,” she recalls.
And the future promises even more. Her next release, ‘FEZ 18’, a collaboration with DJ GG and Sérgio Antonini, is already on its way to all digital platforms. “This release is going to be big — there’s so much more coming,” she says enthusiastically.
The Beat Goes On
Authentic, bold, and driven by her passion for creating new connections through music, Marcela Biondo represents a new generation of artists who don’t follow trends — they create their own.
Between beats and borders, she proves that true revolution happens when the sound is as free as the one who creates it.
Full interview below
From Ibitinga to Washington: how was this journey until you found your place in the American music scene?
Leaving Ibitinga and arriving in Washington was a journey filled with dedication, persistence, and love for music. When I first came to the United States, I knew it wouldn’t be easy — but I also knew Brazilian funk had something truly unique to offer. Being a Brazilian woman made things even more challenging, but I started playing at small events, bringing the Brazilian beat to people and gradually winning them over. Today, seeing the American audience connect with funk music is one of the greatest rewards of my career — it proves that when music is real, it transcends all borders.
Did you expect Brazilian funk to be so well received abroad?
Honestly, I believed in funk’s potential, but the way the American audience has embraced it exceeded my expectations. Funk carries a contagious energy and a powerful identity — it’s impossible to stand still. I think people connect with the rhythm, even if they don’t understand the lyrics. That shows how music is a universal language, and funk has everything it takes to claim an important place on the international stage.
The title “The Brazilian DJ” truly reflects your identity. How do you see your role in bringing the funk culture to the United States and introducing this beat to a new audience?
“The Brazilian DJ” is a way to represent not only my journey but also the energy and originality of Brazilian culture. Funk is more than just a rhythm — it’s a social expression, a language born in the favelas that has reached the world. My goal in the United States is to showcase that power by blending the funk beat with different local styles and sounds, building cultural bridges and showing that Brazilian music holds a unique place in the global scene.
The I LOVE FAVELA project was born from my desire to honor the origins of funk and show the world all the strength, joy, and creativity that come from the communities. I’ve always believed that funk is much more than a rhythm — it’s a form of expression, of resistance, and of pride. With this release, I wanted to blend the authenticity of the favela beats with a modern and international touch, proving that our culture has global potential. For me, I LOVE FAVELA represents love, identity, and the celebration of who we are.
The single features major collaborations. Can you tell us a bit about these partnerships and what the audience can expect from this union of talents?
Yes! This single brings together artists I deeply admire. Each of them contributed their own energy and background, making the final result even more authentic. The idea was to create a true fusion of talents — to show that when we come together, the sound gets stronger and the message travels further. This track is full of identity, rhythm, and truth.
The song was written by Tállia (@eutallia_), one of the biggest funk composers in Brazil, who has penned several hits such as Bota um Funk (Pedro Sampaio) and Aí Papai (Anitta), among other major successes.
Performing on the track, we have MC Lone (@mclone_), who already has over 3 million listeners on Spotify — the result of hard work and dedication. His style aligns with the baile funk and funk ostentação scene, with upbeat rhythms, party lyrics, and a strong connection to the energy of Brazil’s peripheral territories — staying true to the essence of the genre.
We also feature Gabby B (@gabbyb_music), a pop artist currently based in Miami, FL. She speaks three languages and sings in four — English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish. Gabby blends pop, Latin rhythms, Brazilian baile funk, and reggaetón, creating a sound that transcends borders.
The single’s cover art was designed by João Lucas (@jcaslu), a talented illustrator from Rio de Janeiro, who perfectly captured the song’s vibrant essence in his artwork.
All the campaign visuals and release strategy were developed by Alan Richard (@alanrichardz) — also from Rio — an expert in Strategic Design, Visual Identity, and Digital Launches, with over 1,000 students in his courses.
The track’s production was created by DJ Marcela Biondo herself, in collaboration with Lyric Lab (mylyriclab).
Throughout your years in the United States, you’ve performed in different states and at events of various styles. Which moment do you consider the most memorable in your career so far?
I believe one of the most memorable moments of my career was a show in New York — a full house, high energy, and that surreal feeling of being on the same stage where so many great artists have performed before!
What’s next for DJ Marcela Biondo? Are there new projects, collaborations, or international tours on the horizon following the release of I LOVE FAVELA?
There are so many projects and releases on the way!
Our next drop will be a collaboration with DJ GG and singer-songwriter Sérgio Antonini — FEZ 18 will soon hit all digital platforms! Stay tuned, because this release is going to be huge!
