Gabby B Is Building a Global Sound That Connects the World

Interviewer: Areeta Shams

Talent: Gabby B

Brazilian-born, globally inspired, and unapologetically authentic, Gabby B is redefining what it means to be an international pop artist. With influences spanning continents and a sound rooted in Brazilian funk, pop, and multilingual storytelling, she's creating music that transcends borders while staying true to her heritage. As she prepares to release her ambitious new project, Funklandia, Gabby shares how growing up across multiple countries shaped her identity, why authenticity remains at the heart of everything she creates, and how music can become one of

the world's most powerful forces for unity.

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The World of Funklandia

What was the creative process like for your latest release, ‘Nivel Hard’? Walk me through the concept and idea. "We recorded it in San Paolo, Brazil. I went there to work with Love Funk, a big company that has a bunch of artists, and I work with a bunch of different people, producers Biel Bolado.

It was really fun. It was such a moment for me, [because] I got to do something very authentic to me.

It's one of my songs where I am in the zone. I really, really enjoyed making it. At first, I was like, okay, this is a vibe. And then suddenly, I heard it back when I recorded it. I'm like, oh my god, this is it... I really, really enjoyed working on that song and every song on this project."

When it comes to making music, do you feel like the process itself also helps you build your own confidence, like whether it's performing on stage, writing or dancing? "It does, for sure. No matter like what language it is, I'm always about building confidence because as a young girl growing up in different countries, I got bullied a lot in different ways, and for me, it's all about fighting back in my songs, but being the best me I can be... and making songs other people feel like they can relate to, feel positive in and lose themselves in the songs."

This is Gabby's formula to assert her own story and narrative.

What do you think people can expect from your new EP? What story does the full tracklist tell when all the songs are compiled together? "So, this world I'm creating, the EP is gonna be called Funk Landia. Except it's not just an EP, it's a project, so it's gonna extend to a whole album. For the first project, I wanted to name it rooted, which is starting from the ground, you know, like the tree. I'd like to think of it visually

My thing is about connecting the world, like every global star. So pop fusion funk is the genre of this new project, which, you know, you take American pop, like a Britney Spears pop, and you fusion-ise it with the languages. Funk is the Brazilian funk element, which goes back to where I come from and in a sound that is going viral right now, it's something I have consumed so much since I was little. So I wanted to do something like that. Not only is it Brazilian funk beat, but it can also unite everyone in a way that they can understand, which is the key element.

The projects have English, they have Portuguese, and they have a bit of Spanish, so we can all get a little taste of different languages, but at the same time, they're all the same genre in the same beat. Which makes you become lost in this world. Funklandia is like a land of funk music that takes you on a ride, basically, so I like to call it a ride on a roller coaster."

How do you think you can find the right balance between all of those together? "Well, Pop Fusion Funk is definitely the style that I consume the most. I consume a lot of Brazilian funk, and I consume a lot of American pop, like Britney Spears. So when you put it together, it's like the perfect mix of what I'm all about. It's very authentic to who I am and what I consume.

I'm hoping that everyone will enjoy it just as much as I did making the project. The balance is definitely always an important process to think about.

'Let's blend this language, but let's make it 75% of this language' and, you know, 'the other percentage this language', or like, 'let's make this whole song this language'.

It's definitely something that you just have to feel in the moment and talk through with your team. But at the end of the day, music is the language.

So it's a global thing. You don't have to understand a song to like it. If the song is good, the song is good."

Do you feel like there's any song in particular from this new project that has helped your own development as an artist the most? "Oh my gosh, that's a very interesting question. Well, I will have one song that I'm primarily focused on, which I feel like is the one. It's called Toxic. I'm excited about that one. I feel like it's gonna be people's favourites.

Because, well, it's not about the person being toxic, it's about you, you kind of being toxic. In a very confident way, like, oh, I am here to have fun, you know?

But you should have known that I was toxic, so don't get so close to me because I bite, basically. It's kind of a very fun thing for us girlies who want to feel like we're on top and stuff like that. So I'm really excited about that one."

Beyond music, what role do you think your fashion, choreography, and visuals play when it comes to bringing Funklandia to life? "So me designing my own clothes, I really think it's important to always be your authentic self. Growing up, both my parents were entertainers. My mom, she did samba and other Brazilian dances, and I would always help her. I was little, but I would go with her to her jobs everywhere. She always wore these rhinestone bras, and it's a very samba carnival look. So I wanted to keep that, because I really like it

Honestly, on stage, the less I wear, the better it is to dance. Especially when belly dancing, it is much more helpful when some parts of your body are more exposed. My mom also taught me how to design my own clothes, and my dad actually helps me with my clothes and designs. My mom would make her own rhinestone bras, and I learned how to make my own. So my clothes are usually a rhinestone bra, a skirt, because it's better to move. Sometimes shorts, but with the little [extra material] thing that makes it move when dancing."

Gabby B's Diverse Upbringing and Miami Swim Week

Because you were born in Brazil but raised across France, Canada, and the US, how do you feel living in different countries has shaped your identity? "It has definitely shaped a lot. At home, I was raised as a Brazilian, but I was living in different countries each time. So when I would go to school, there would be so many different cultures and languages that I would learn from."

"I was exposed to different styles, not only Brazilian style. So that is honestly why this project is so on point with who I am, and why I am at a point of creating Brazilian funk that is mixed with different languages."

"I mean, that's literally how I grew up. I grew up being authentically Brazilian, but with knowing how other people work around the world. Even in France, it wasn't just French people that I grew up with. I grew up with Muslims, Moroccans, and Algerians. I grew up with different cultures like that. And then in Canada, there were a lot of Russians and people from Kazakhstan, you know, I grew up living like that. So it's just so on point to what I do and who I am now…"

You performed in Miami Swim Week. How was it for you? Were there any messages or feelings that you hope people would leave with from watching you perform? "Well, performing fashion shows is always very fun because you can feel this very long runway. It's very different from other performances. I like to perform, not just sing. I like to give people a show, you know, that they can enjoy. I just hope that they come out of there feeling like they want to dance with me, basically."

Did you get to watch the show as well, aside from performing? "Actually, I was dealing with some sickness myself, so I didn't stay for the whole thing, but I did see some of them walk, and it's always so amazing. It's so beautiful. I've done multiple fashion shows, but at one of them, there was a pool underneath it, and it was my first time singing in the middle of a pool with just a long runway behind me! I was like, " Oh my gosh, I'm gonna fall! " If I failed, that would have been it for me."

Performing and Embracing Identity

You also performed at the Brazil versus Morocco match at the Orlando soccer celebration. What did it mean for you to be able to represent Brazilian music and culture? How did it feel to share that during a very big sporting moment? "That was one of my favourite performances I did because it was with my people. It did have a lot of mixed different people, even Moroccans.

One of my best friends that I still talk to this day, we were neighbours and friends, she's Moroccan.

I'm all about uniting people, and I thought it was beautiful that we could all be together. It wasn't like we were against each other.

And the game tied, I thought this ended up good! Obviously, I want Brazil to win because that's my number one country for the World Cup, but I was very happy with the situation because I was performing after the game. So I'm like, oh, everyone's happy.

It felt so amazing. It was such a unity type of performance. Seeing all the fans get so excited, dance and have fun with me is just the best feeling in the world."

When it comes to music, why do you think it's so important to spread unity and love in moments where things are really tough, especially in a society where forces are really divisive at the moment? "Yeah, it's super important because I feel like we have a lot of hate in the world and a lot of things that divide us. Like, 'oh, you have a different colour than me...you have different hair than me', but music is the one thing that I feel unites all of us, no matter where you come from, we all bleed.

We all go through the same thing. We all have feelings. Even in animals, I feel like it's one thing that makes us all come together. It's super important to me that we all unite at the end of the day, you know, instead of dividing us into different parts all the time. So music definitely can bring you that."

You have also had major performances and appearances, such as festivals and televised events, and singing the national anthem at sporting events. How do you feel these events have helped you grow as a live performer? "Well, honestly, from the first time that I sang the national anthem, I was very nervous because of the acapella for it. It's just definitely more nerve-wracking because everyone knows the lyrics! When you're singing your own songs, most people won't even know if you're messing up or forgetting the lyrics.

But the national anthem is such a respectful thing... such an honour to be singing it, you know?

Then it being acapella, everyone's silent, except you... It's definitely scary, but I've done it so many times now. Every time is like the first time for me, in anything. I remember one time I almost puked! But it's not even because of the singing, it's mostly because of the lyrics. Like, if you forget the lyrics, you might be in those 'worst videos of the national anthem!'

Who knows, you know? So I was so nervous, but nowadays I'm just like, I got it. Let's do it."

Gabby continues to credit her parents for her resilient mindset.

"My parents tell me this all the time, as entertainers... they always say, if something happens, keep going. Things are gonna happen, you know? You might fall, you might get an outfit malfunction. You might hit the dancers across the head. It's part of performing."

As your audience continues to grow internationally, which markets or countries would you most like to perform in next? "My gosh, I would definitely say Brazil. I haven't performed there yet. I've only recorded songs there, and I'm always there for my family and stuff like that, but I haven't performed live there yet since I live here. Maybe Europe, too. Honestly, everywhere! Everywhere... I'm such a culture person, I'm such a lover of all countries, and before going to any country, I love learning about them.

Since I grew up in so many different places, I want other people to be just as respectful to my country as I am to theirs...You want it to be mutual? Yeah! It's very important to me. Knowing other countries and seeing how we all unite at the end of the day. No matter where we come from or if we're different in some ways."

The Beauty of Being Brazillian

Who are some of your dream collaborations or artists that inspire you? Would you say? "From the United States, I would say Bruno Mars is definitely one of them. He's such a performer. He reminds me a lot of Michael Jackson, which I really love too. So that style, you know, he also has some funky music, American punk that I really like.

In the Brazilian world, I would say Bitsom Payu is one of them. So, so talented.. There's... Honestly, there's a lot. I could go on, but yeah, those are some, some of my favourites."

How did you get into being such a good dancer? Did the belly dancing come naturally to you, or was it a technique that you had to take a really long time to master? "Honestly, it was so out of nowhere. We Brazillians, we love to dance in general. That's one of the biggest things we do when we're happy. So ever since I was little, I've always danced, and I've always been in that environment.

But then I got TikTok when it started being a thing. Then I was dancing, like a normal Brazilian, we move our hips a lot, just like belly dancers, and then it went viral, and people started saying, "Oh my god, you're my favourite belly dancer." I'm like, 'What are you talking about? What are you talking about? I, that wasn't even...I wasn't belly dancing! What are you talking about?'

So it was out of nowhere, and then I started learning more about that world, the belly dance world, and I saw that they had different movements that I really enjoyed. And then I ended up making a song about it, working with a professional belly dancer in different movements that I didn't even know. She taught me this chess isolation, and that's how that started.

This is something that I really like. The more I practised, the more I got good at it, and people would say, 'I love your belly dancing!' I'm like, this is crazy... It was out of nowhere, but I love it. I love mixing Brazilian styles with belly dance; it's really, really fun."

Do you feel like, especially after you learned dancing, that you also looked at music differently, or has it always kind of been that your body always moves to the rhythm first? "Yeah, it's always the body that goes with what the rhythm goes. If I hear a beat and it makes me move, that's the beat for me. But if it doesn't make me do anything, I'm like...I don't know, it's just annoying. It has to make me move for it to be a thing for me!"

What do your Brazilian fans mean to you? Do you have any particular stories that have resonated with you the most? "I love it when my Brazilian fans tell me that they get very inspired, and that they're really happy that I'm showing off our culture to the world, because that's something that hasn't been completely done yet. Besides Anitta, of course, she has definitely brought the punk.

It's very important to us to show our culture, because not a lot of people know about it yet!

And it's something that we're so proud of. They always tell me how they love my work and how I'm mixing these languages with our culture and spreading our message to the world.

So I really get very happy that they like what I'm doing. They're always supporting me."

Do you get like, a lot of young women, as well, young girl fans that look up to you and see themselves in you? "Yeah, oh my god. It's just so amazing. Sometimes I go on live and... I've even had young, young kids saying that they get inspired. It really means a lot because I've been in that spot. I went through these things, and now kids are getting inspired by me. It's like a circle of life."

Since Brazilian funk is becoming more visible internationally, what would you want global listeners to understand about the genre and the culture behind it? "Honestly, that you can have fun, and that it is different from other genres. Meaning, funk is our own thing. A lot of people get confused with other genres like reggaeton, and I'm like, yeah, that's one genre. Then there's funk... that's a different genre.

At the end of the day, they all make you move; they come from the Favelas, which are the ghettoes. It's like how you think of rap, but for us. It's a genre that could be super dirty.

That's something that the parents don't understand. It's just something that is super fun, and honestly, I don't care where you're from. You can grab a Brazilian funk beat and do it to your music, you know, the appropriation thing, it's not a thing. We all love it."

Impact of Latin Music and CUlture

Although Brazil has its own unique culture and language, you've built a strong presence within the Latin music industry. What has that journey been like? "It’s been a really natural journey. Even though Brazil has its own language and culture, there are so many similarities between Brazilian music and Latin music when it comes to rhythm, passion, and the way people connect through it. I’ve always felt comfortable moving between those worlds.

Being part of the Latin music industry has given me the opportunity to collaborate, perform, and connect with audiences from many different backgrounds while still staying true to who I am as a Brazilian artist. I’ve never felt like I had to choose one identity over the other. Instead, I’ve been able to celebrate my Brazilian roots while embracing the broader Latin community.

I think that balance is what makes my journey unique. I respect both cultures deeply, and my goal has always been to build bridges through music rather than fit into a specific category."

Miami is home to so many different Latin cultures. What have you learned from collaborating with artists from across Latin America?  "One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that every culture has its own unique sound, story, and way of expressing emotion, and there’s so much beauty in those differences. Collaborating with artists from across Latin America has given me a deeper appreciation for the diversity within the Latin music world and shown me how many different influences can come together to create something special."

You've shared the stage with artists from across the Latin music world. Which Latin artists have you most enjoyed performing with, and why? "One of my favorite experiences was performing “Leche” with Vikina. We had great chemistry on stage, and the song itself is fun, energetic, and really gets people moving. As performers, we both brought a lot of confidence and personality to the performance, which made it especially memorable."

The World Cup's Connection to Music

Brazil is one of the most iconic countries in World Cup history. What does the World Cup represent to you personally?  "Growing up in a Brazilian household, the World Cup is something that is so meaningful. It brings people together regardless of age, background, or where they live. During the World Cup, there’s this incredible energy where an entire country comes together to support the same dream. For me personally, it’s a reminder of my roots and the pride I have in being Brazilian."

What role do you think music plays during major global moments like the World Cup? "I think music and sports have a lot in common because they both bring people together. During major moments like the World Cup, music becomes part of the celebration. It creates memories, sets the atmosphere, and gives people a way to express their excitement, pride, and emotions. For a few weeks, the whole world is watching the same event, and music helps create a shared experience around it."

With the World Cup bringing people from all over the world together, what message would you want to share through your music? "The message I would want to share is that our differences are something to celebrate, not something that should divide us. Events like the World Cup remind us that people from completely different cultures and backgrounds can come together through a shared passion, and I think music has that same power."

How do you balance being proud of your roots while creating music for a global audience? "For me, it’s never been about choosing one or the other. I believe the more authentic you are to your roots, the more unique your voice becomes on a global stage. My Brazilian identity is a huge part of who I am, so it naturally influences my music, whether it's through the rhythms, the energy, the language, or the stories I tell."

"At the same time, growing up in different countries exposed me to so many cultures and musical styles, which helped shape my perspective as an artist. I love being able to bring those influences together in a way that feels genuine."

"I think audiences connect most with authenticity. So rather than trying to make my music fit a specific market, I focus on creating something that is true to me. The goal is to share my culture with the world while also creating music that people from anywhere can relate to and enjoy."

If you could perform at a World Cup celebration or halftime event, what would that moment mean to you? "That would be an incredible honor. The World Cup is one of the few events that captures the attention of the entire world, so being able to perform on a stage like that would be a dream come true.

As a Brazilian artist, it would be especially meaningful because soccer is such an important part of our culture. To represent Brazil through music at an event that celebrates so many nations would be a very proud moment for me."