Karol Conká during the anniversary show of the album 'Batuk Freak' in São Paulo Disclosure In 2013, Karol Conká introduced himself to Brazil with his debut album, “Batuk Freak”. Mixing rap, pop and elements of Afro-Brazilian culture, the album became a reference in national hip-hop culture. Born in Curitiba, capital of Paraná, Conká invaded the male-dominated scene on the Rio-São Paulo axis with disruptive sound work, engaging lyrics and unique flow. 13 years later, “Batuk Freak” is cited as iconic by new generations and, as fans asked so much, the rapper decided to go on a special anniversary tour – starting with two shows in São Paulo, on May 18th and 19th. It will also pass through Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Porto Alegre and Florianópolis. To g1, she explained that her idea was to put together a presentation that has a little of the spirit of the time when the album was released, but with a repertoire that dialogues with other works. "I'm very grateful to see 'Batuk Freak' being recognized decades later as something that sparked other people's creativity. I love meeting fans and hearing how this work transformed personalities. I feel like an admirer being admired by this new generation." Birth of crazy batuque The singer's debut album was created in 2011, with the first singles made in partnership with producer Nave, also from Curitiba. Conká, who lived in the Boqueirão neighborhood, about 10km from the center of Curitiba, remembered that going to a professional studio and recording was a teenage dream. "It was difficult to believe that my art would touch people outside of Curitiba. I remember that I spoke of Nave [the album's producer] and the rap crowd as 'the boys from the Center', because it was already something extraordinary to leave my little world, the outskirts. It was the purest moment of my life." That same year, Nave decided to share “Boa Noite”, which would become the main single from “Batuk Freak”, in an MTV betting contest. Nave Beatz and Karol Conká when they were still partners, in the video for 'Boa Noite', a track from the album 'Batuk freak' (2013), which launched her career as a singer and his as a music producer Disclosure It was with this exposure that the rapper got her first big boost and decided that she needed to make an album and show her work to the world. 13 years later, “Batuk Freak” feels like a work that was designed to make an impact. But, at the beginning, the idea was just to make some rhymes in a professional studio. "Leaving Curitiba and crossing the Rio-São Paulo axis seemed impossible, but I had an immense desire to connect my art with the world. With the support of MTV and producer Nave, who uploaded my songs on the internet, I showed that a girl from the periphery could reach the top." Keeping the past with affection During the interview, Conká made a point of mentioning the name of Nave Beatz, producer of the album, and his wife, Drica Lara, several times. “At the beginning [of my career] I couldn't focus on so much information that arrived at once. I had very important help from Nave and Drica. They were teaching me and showing me the most administrative paths and the responsibility for an artistic career", he explains. One of the biggest names in national rap, the producer has on his CV works signed with Emicida, Marcelo D2, Flora Matos, as well as three Latin Grammys. Nave Beatz won the Grammy after producing the album 'AmarElo', by Emicida Divulgação The frequent mention draws attention, as the three have already exchanged public complaints involving copyright due to the album. In 2021, the album was removed from streaming platforms, while the producer claimed not to have been paid for the work, which the singer disputed (understand the full story here). Anyone who watched Karol Conká during and after “BBB 21”, with its controversies and high rejection, knows that she went through a period of personal reconstruction. And it was precisely at that moment that the problems involving the partnership with Nave became public knowledge. good memories of creating the album with the producer. "I never let external or bureaucratic problems interfere with the musical atmosphere of 'Batuk Freak'. I love to separate what the work is and that good energy are from what the delicate subjects are. Time is the best medicine and, for me, music will always speak louder." Pressure for the new 'album of life' Karol Conká performs on The Town's The One Stage Natalia Rampinelli/ Agnews After his debut work, Conká traveled the world, performed at major festivals and became a rap reference. And he often answers the question: when is a new “Batuk Freak” coming? Since then, he has released two other albums ("Ambulante", in 2018, and "Urucum", in 2022), and has successful singles such as "Tombei" and "É O Poder". However, it is as if she faces pressure to surpass her debut work. “I look at [this pressure] with affection, because I also think it is the album of my life. It was the first one I recorded and I said: ‘It’s an album’. The first work is the xodó.”