“Attitude is a virtue I have”

The singer karinah It is a symbol of strength and empowerment. The artist opens doors for other women to enter the music career and take risks in different rhythms.

Owner of a powerful voice in samba and pagode, she commented on the challenges of being a woman in samba and pagode, especially after the age of 40.

Sincere, the singer also spoke about ageism and other prejudices suffered in the musical world.

“Dealing with prejudice and sexism are the worst situations a woman can face. I see more opportunities now, at 41, than 10 years ago, when I wasn’t mature enough to understand all of this and be a hostage to a system that only it worked – and still only works – for men, whether producing or singing. So, it was important to walk this whole trajectory and mature to know how to choose the best strategy and the best path.”, he said.

She continued: “I’m a very strong woman, I’m not afraid of challenges and I don’t even have time to think like a victim of something. I see myself like wine and in samba, the more mature and resistant the better.”.

Karina is considered a fundamental figure for expanding the space of women in samba and pagode, and little by little she has managed to occupy increasingly important places. She told how she evaluates this breaking of stereotypes and this commitment to make a difference in the segment.

“Success is work. That’s how it always was and it always will be. I don’t think too much, I go. I’m not afraid of anything. I’m not a hostage to a system, I do everything the way I want and at the time I think is right. I’m not in that life to make money. I’m here to make a difference and that’s a purpose. Being in samba goes beyond just being successful. That’s why I do things on my own time – I have other priorities too, like my family, my children – and it’s not just singing. It’s looking for a path, it’s serving as a reference for generations. That’s why last year we did the ‘Karinah Por Elas’ project to show the market that it is possible to make a beautiful product, women singing samba and pagode…”he spoke.

The singer continued: “There are gaps in the market that can be filled with these artists. It is important to pave the way for this new generation and continue this legacy. For more than 100 years, women have made history in Brazilian music and this must continue.”.

Karinah talked about how it feels to know that she is an inspiration to many women: “I’m aware and grateful, and that’s why I think a lot. I always do music labs, I talk to composers because I believe they need to write more songs for women to sing. I can’t do what everyone else does. I went through several processes and I saw that few things have changed. The responsibility is great, but I am an empowered woman like my queens, who built such an important legacy in Brazilian music. They are empowered women, they strengthened this base. It is a challenge, but it is a mission!”.

Even if the struggles are many and always difficult, the important thing is to move forward. Karinah shared what inspires her to move forward with courage.

“Attitude is a virtue that I have. Attitude is a virtue of successful people. ‘I can’t do it’ doesn’t exist for me. Now, the women of Brazilian music are inspiring. It wasn’t easy, it’s never been easy. Each one built their trajectory based on struggle and resistance. I think the greatest inspiration is having someone strong to be inspired by, someone who never gave up, someone who fought until the end and wrote a beautiful story, which is still very much alive even though you are no longer here… like Clara Nunes, for example, and Bete Carvalho, samba women who will be respected for eternity for everything they represent and for everything they built. It wasn’t easy, but even so, they followed their dreams, with their ideals and purposes. I want to be like them! It may take a while, but that’s what moves me!”, she finished.