Ela Partíu

Laíz is a 24-year-old Brazilian rapper who settled in Berlin at 18. Ela Partíu features 20 musicians from countries including Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Cuba, Colombia, Ghana, Australia and Germany, exploring themes of colonisation, exodus and diaspora. These themes are apparent in the title of the album, which translates as ‘She Has Gone’, also a track by Tim Maia, one of Laíz’ key influences. The first single to drop, ‘Carcará’, tells the story of the ‘Brazilian smile,’ talking about the struggle of the Brazilian people and the institutionally racist system in which they live. The accompaniment to her tongue-in-cheek rap is a samba-swung drum kit and Wurlitzer comp, along with soulful horns co-produced by young.vishnu. A great listen for hip-hop and Brazilian music lovers alike, Ela Partíu is not only a great album, but also a political commentary extremely necessary for fans to understand the struggles faced by the musicians we so admire.