Rihanna in forró, Pink in sertanejo, Chris Brown in bregadeira, Nelly Furtado in arrocha… Understanding the national recycling of foreign melodies

The familiar melody and unfamiliar words cause strangeness at first, but soon in the chorus the Brazilian versions of international hits conquer the audience. It is the case of love lovepiece published by Melody, Naldo Benny and Matheus Alves, last Friday, 16.

The song sonic references one of Chris Brown’s greatest hits, kiss Kiss, from 2007. The Brazilian version has 2.9 million views on YouTube and occupies the Top 50 on Spotify. She is far from an isolated case.

Chris Brown appears as one of the composers of Love love, indicating that the use of elements of kiss Kiss by the Brazilians it was authorized by the North Americans. This ensures that music is not removed from digital platforms under plagiarism charges.

It is not the first time that Melody has launched into works of this type. Before kiss Kisspresented other songs based on foreign hits. dangerous robbery has lyrics written above the melody of locationsby Ariadne Grande. Due to copyright, the song has been removed from digital platforms.

The same happened with the successful carnival of 2023, little love, by Treyce, who is part of this wave. After playing in the four corners of Brazil, the music, cradled by the melody of Say it righta big hit by Nelly Furtado in the 2000s, it was pulled from the airwaves.

After the success of little love, Canadian singer Nelly Furtado’s publisher charged copyright for the use of the tune. However, the artists did not enter into a deal.

Gusttavo Lima is also known for presenting songs adapted to Portuguese. Recently, the sertanejo has launched, with permission, immortal desire – inspired by It must have been Lovehit by the band Roxette released in the 80s.

Interpolation

The resource most used by artists recently is musical interpolation. Method refers to the act of incorporating excerpts from pre-existing musical elements into a new musical composition.

“It’s a creative technique that involves reusing musical elements from other works to add new sounds and meanings to current music,” explains Tayná Carneiro, director of Future Law, a technology and law firm.

According to the artistic director of Warner Chappell Brasil, Filippe Siqueira, this is a trend in the music market. “We can say that in Brazil, in recent months, it has become a differential. Many songs that have been among the most listened to use this trick”, he evaluates.

Version x Sample x Interpolation

Filippe Siqueira, explains the differences:

• Version is when the original work is entirely re-recorded in another language;
• interpolation is the use of a melody fragment (not the original recording) of an existing composition into a new song. When it happens, it must have a citation on the authorial side, as the original work is used in another;
• sampling is the use of an audio extract (in this case, the original recording) of an existing song in a new work.

Copyright

The interpolation must always be credited. “In general, you make an agreement with the authors of the work you are using and normally they start to have a percentage of control over the new work, with the interpolation,” explains Filippe Siqueira.

But the right thing is to ask first, explains Tayná Carneiro. “In interpolation, Brazilian legislation requires that prior authorization be obtained from the original copyright holders for the use of musical pieces in a new composition. This authorization is normally done through specific licenses, which involve financial and contractual agreements.”

ancient practice

Despite the releases, the artifice has ancient roots in Brazilian popular rhythms, such as brega, forró and arrocha, and became popular in the early 2000s.

Calcinha Preta and the band Djavú have toured Brazil, especially the north and northeast, with hits in which they recycle foreign songs. In pop and ax, Sandy & Junior and Ivete Sangalo also joined the movement.

Check out some versions:

Pauline – Black panties

Inspired by without youby Mariah Carey

I want you, love – Banda Djavu

Inspired by HI, by Beyonce

Tell me – Gusttavo Lima

Inspired by Just give me a reasonby P!nk

In every dream (love like an arrow) – Sandy & Junior

Inspired by My heart Will Go Onby Celine Dion

which of us two – Anna Carolina

Inspired by My story between my fingersby the Italian singer Gianluca Grignani

If you want – Tanya Mara

Inspired by At any timeby Kelly Clarkson

Just give yourself – Raphaela Santos The favorite

Inspired by I got youby Bebe Rexha

If you don’t appreciate – Aviões do Forró

Inspired by Umbrella, by Rihanna

Fortune -Simon & Simaria

Inspired by luckyby Jason Mars and Colbie Caillat

Source: Terra

Earl

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.