Anitta, born Larissa de Macedo Machado on March 30, 1993, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a renowned Brazilian singer, songwriter, dancer, and occasional television host. Widely regarded as the “Queen of Brazilian Pop,” Anitta’s rise to stardom began with the release of her debut single, Meiga e Abusada in 2012. Following its success, she signed a recording contract with Warner Music Brazil, and her self-titled debut album in 2013 became a major hit, debuting at number one on the charts and earning platinum certification. The album produced iconic tracks like Show das Poderosas and Zen, which became her first number-one hit on the Billboard Brasil Hot 100 chart.
Anitta continued to dominate the Brazilian music scene with her subsequent releases. Her second studio album, Ritmo Perfeito (2014), was a commercial success, further cementing her status as a pop sensation in Brazil. She followed this with her third studio album, Bang (2015), which featured top-ten hits such as Deixa Ele Sofrer and Bang. The album solidified her influence on Brazilian pop culture and demonstrated her ability to evolve artistically. By 2017, she had successfully expanded into the Latin music market with her first fully Spanish-language single, Paradinha, marking the start of her journey into reggaeton and other Latin genres.
Anitta’s bilingual abilities have played a crucial role in her international success. Her fourth studio-visual album, Kisses (2019), was released in three languages—Portuguese, Spanish, and English—and earned her a nomination for Best Urban Music Album at the Latin Grammy Awards. In 2022, she achieved a major milestone with her fifth studio album, Versions of Me, which included the international hit single Envolver. The song topped charts globally, making Anitta the first Brazilian artist to reach number one on Spotify’s Global Top 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. This success earned her a Guinness World Record and multiple accolades, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Latin.
Anitta has been equally influential outside the music industry. A vocal feminist, she frequently speaks out on the challenges female artists face in the industry. In 2017, she was named GQ Brazil’s “Woman of the Year,” where she used the platform to discuss gender inequalities in entertainment. Her outspoken nature extends to political and environmental activism. During the 2018 Brazilian elections, Anitta publicly opposed then-presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, using her platform to support the #EleNão (#NotHim) movement. She also advocates for the protection of the Amazon Rainforest and indigenous rights, underscoring her commitment to social issues.
In addition to her musical talents, Anitta is known for her marketing prowess. Having studied marketing herself, she meticulously plans her branding and promotional strategies, making her a case study in the business side of the music industry. Her collaborations with international artists such as J Balvin, Becky G, Maluma, and Rita Ora further showcase her global appeal.
Today, Anitta remains one of Brazil’s most influential pop stars, with a vast international following and a legacy as a pioneer in Brazilian music’s crossover into global markets.
