AmarElo
Emicida
2019

Why This Album Matters
AmarElo, released in 2019, transcends the category of a conventional rap album, presenting itself as a musical manifesto in profound dialogue with a vast range of Brazilian music genres, including gospel, rock, jazz, samba, and trap. Emicida, one of Brazil's most successful rappers, conceived it as his most ambitious project to date, intending to propagate a positive message of love and connection, especially in a polarised global scenario and a troubled Brazil. The album's title, inspired by Paulo Leminski's poem "Amar é um elo / entre o azul / e o amarelo", encapsulates its essence of unity and hope. More than a collection of songs, AmarElo is a 'soundtrack-manifesto of a generation', which seeks to celebrate Black Brazilian identity and challenge stereotypes, using a rich and experimental sound that, at the same time, feels familiar and innovative.
Context
Emicida's rise began in the favelas of São Paulo, consolidating him as one of the most prominent voices in Brazilian rap, and he co-founded Laboratório Fantasma in 2009, his own recording and production company. The release of AmarElo occurred during a period of intense political and social crisis in Brazil, with the album emerging as a poetic response to the violence, injustice, growing gender and racial inequality, and religious division in the country. The work can be interpreted as a strong protest against the policies of then-president Jair Bolsonaro, who was perceived by many as someone who disdained various social groups. In this challenging context, Emicida used his platform to reflect on and reclaim Black Brazilian history, aligning himself with a new generation of artists who used music as a form of social criticism and solidarity.
Recording
The album AmarElo was predominantly recorded at Emicida's Lab Fantasma Studio, located in São Paulo, and featured production by his brother, Evandro Fióti, co-founder of Laboratório Fantasma, who plays a crucial role in the label's artistic and business vision. The album's production was notable for its complex fusion of genres, blending hip-hop with elements of samba, gospel, jazz, rock, and trap, requiring a creative and experimental approach to the sound. This multifaceted approach reflects Emicida's intention to create a work that is not limited by the boundaries of a single musical style, but rather dialogues with the richness of Brazilian and global musical culture, resulting in a rich sonic texture that highlights all its influences. The dedication to uniting different musical strands and poetic narratives made the recording process a key element for the album's unique identity.
Songs
AmarElo is a melting pot of collaborations that unites 'old and current masters' of Brazilian and international music, integrating different cultures and musical styles. Among the notable collaborators are Zeca Pagodinho, Marcos Valle, Dona Onete, Majur, Pabllo Vittar, Drik Barbosa, MC Tha, Larissa Luz, Fernanda Montenegro, the Cuban duo Ibeyi, and the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. The title track "AmarElo", featuring Majur and Pabllo Vittar, is an emblematic example of this fusion, addressing issues of gender and sexuality in Brazilian hip-hop and featuring an iconic sample from Belchior's "Sujeito de Sorte". "Principia" incorporates gospel influences and Candomblé references, whilst "Quem Tem Um Amigo (Tem Tudo)" celebrates friendship with the presence of Zeca Pagodinho and the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and pays homage to the legendary drummer Wilson das Neves. "Ismália", with Larissa Luz and Fernanda Montenegro, discusses police brutality, and "Eminência Parda" is a trap track that draws inspiration from anti-imperialist heroes. The lyrics address themes such as hope, love, resilience, social criticism, and the celebration of Black Brazilian identity.
Legacy
AmarElo was widely acclaimed, receiving the Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock or Alternative Music Album in Portuguese Language in 2020, Emicida's first Latin Grammy. The album was recognised by the São Paulo Association of Art Critics as one of the 25 best Brazilian albums of the second half of 2019 and, for some critics, is considered one of the greatest Brazilian albums of the 2020s. Critics fervently praised its creativity, unique fusion of genres, and powerful message. Thematically, the album became a significant cultural landmark, promoting connection between people, celebrating Black history, and encouraging tolerance in a fragmented country. The album's success was boosted by the documentary "AmarElo: É Tudo Pra Ontem", released in 2020 by Netflix, which received glowing reviews for its inspiring representation of the struggle against racism and inequality, solidifying Emicida's work as an 'antidote to centuries of amnesia and racial whitewashing'.
Rankings
Tracks
Podcasts
História Preta · Thiago André
Em outubro de 2019, Emicida lançou um dos seus álbuns mais marcantes da carreira - o AmarEloJá tinha uns 4 anos que ele não lançava um álbum de inéditas e 2019 estava sendo um ano especialmente difícil para o Brasil. Então a galera que acompanha o trabalho dele tava esperando vir aquela pedrada pesada com reação a tudo o que estava acontecendo, mas o que veio foi um álbum mais sereno, pé no chão e
Mamilos · B9
Esse episódio é um conteúdo extra e faz parte da série — Mamilos e a Cultura Brasileira. No primeiro episódio falamos sobre Bacurau, uma importante peça do cinema brasileiro. Hoje vamos falar sobre as histórias e inspirações do álbum AmarElo com Emicida. Vem com a gente! ===== Você pode ouvir AmarElo em todas as plataformas digitais. Confira mais em www.emicida.com.br ======== FALE CONOSCO . Email
História Preta · Thiago André
AmarElo é um album solar, que busca construir pontes falando com maturidade de nossas fraquezas, certezas e lutas do dia a dia. É sobre o Elo que se fecha entre as lutas passadas e presente pra nos mostrar que há outros futuros possíveis e que dias de sol também são feitos para nós, pessoas negras. Continue a conversa! Instagram: @Historia_Preta | @ThiagoAndreh Twitter: @Historia_PretaEmail: histo
Um Milkshake Chamado Wanda · Papelpop
Emicida sentou com a gente para gravar um Wanda inteiro. É isto! Uma das vozes mais poderosas da música atual comenta com a gente o álbum AmarElo, enquanto emendamos um papo lindo sobre todas as formas de amor como resistência a tempos difíceis, celebrar nossas vitórias, encontros de culturas e ainda opinou muito no Me Ajuda Wanda! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic
Videos
LIGAMOS PRO EMICIDA! | Doc AmarElo - É Tudo Pra Ontem
RAP, falando
Emicida: AmarElo - It's All For Yesterday | Netflix Review (2020) Emicida: AmarElo É Tudo Pra Ontem
Rama's Screen
Emicida amarelo Brazilian Culture Movie Explained In Hindi Hollywood Paathshala Netflix Review
WHATS UP BOLLYWOOD
AmarElo | SÓ RESENHA - EP1
Discurso Rítmico
Veja o que VOCÊ pode APRENDER com EMICIDA!!! (Documentário AmarElo)
Canal Musicália
Emicida: AmarElo: It’s All For Yesterday Movie Review.Leandro Roque de Oliveira.Evandro Fióti.
Trips & Talks
Films

AmarElo Prisma
2020
Emicida reveals new perspectives on a journey of personal and social transformation.

Emicida: AmarElo - It's All for Yesterday
2020
Between scenes from his concert in São Paulo's oft-inaccessible Theatro Municipal, rapper and activist Emicida celebrates the rich legacy of Black Brazilian culture.
Books
Analyses
AmarElo – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Review: Emicida - AmarElo (2019)
collectorsroom.com.br
O valor social que 'AmarElo' carrega é enorme e vai promover reflexões que precisam, cada vez mais, ser levantadas". Trata-se de uma música forte, impactante, mesclando batidas clássicas do rap de Emicida com sons mais contemporâneos, dando um desfecho perfeito ao álbum.
Resenha: Amarelo | Emicida - Limoções
limocoes.com.br
Chegamos ao álbum mais recente do Emicida. Carregando nos ombros as expectativas do mercado musical brasileiro, AmarElo nasce com a tarefa de dar ao rap - ou ao movimento hip-hop - o encontro com outros gêneros musicais de maneira orgânica, organizada, sonoramente comercial e inédito.
Resenha: "AmarElo" - Emicida (2019) - Nação da Música
br.nacaodamusica.com
Na última quarta-feira (30), o Emicida liberou, nas plataformas de streaming, seu novo álbum de estúdio intitulado "AmarElo". Composto por onze faixas inéditas e cheio de participações, ele surpreende pelo estilo mais leve, pelo menos no ritmo.
"AmarElo" (2019), Emicida - A música de
amusicade.com
Emicida lançou um disco que pode ser entendido como um neo-samba, carregado de mensagens que vão desde a crítica mais dura ao racismo, até a mais pura forma de amor e de felicidade genuína. Arte, África e família são pontos cruciais da carreira do músico.
Discogs
AmarElo – Discogs
discogs.com
