For the 33rd consecutive year, the Sunday before Labor Day in the United States will be completely green and yellow. Part of 6th Avenue and 46th Street (Little Brazil) will be closed for the biggest Brazilian party outside Brazil, BR Day NY. This is a celebration of Brazil’s Independence and Brazilian culture, primarily through music. For over three decades of celebrations, BR Day NY brings bands and singers who are prominent in Brazil to perform in the heart of New York for Brazilians longing for home and foreign admirers of the country.
This year, BR Day NY features the Bahian singer Claudia Leitte, the sertanejo duo Marcos & Belutti, and the pagode group Sorriso Maroto. In an exclusive interview with The Brasilians, the three attractions discuss their expectations for the show, what they are preparing to present, and the success of their careers. BR Day NY takes place on September 3rd, starting at 11 AM, on 6th Avenue (the stage is set up at 43rd Street). The event is free. For more information, visit: www.brazilianday.com.
The Charm of Marcos & Belutti
The Brasilians: The duo has performed in the United States before, but never at BR Day NY. What are your expectations for the show?
Marcos: Our expectations are the best possible. Whenever we leave Brazil to perform, we are very happy to know that Brazilians who are far from us also enjoy our work, just like fans who live in Brazil. We have seen some artists performing at BR Day NY, and being part of this party was a great desire of ours. To represent Brazil at this event, which is the largest Brazilian music event in the United States. Therefore, we are very happy to have been invited to participate in BR Day NY, and we are going with open hearts with our new tour “Acredite,” which has everything to do with the feeling that Brazilians living in the United States carry, which is to believe in the future and seek a better life, wherever it may be.
TB: What kind of show will you bring to the BR Day NY stage?
M: We are preparing a very lively show. Many people who know our songs, like “Domingo de manhã,” “Eu era,” and “Romântico anônimo,” sometimes imagine that our show only has romantic hits. Of course, the highlight of the show is the romantic songs, but 70% of the show is also upbeat, to make the crowd dance, jump, and have fun. And that’s the show we are bringing to BR Day, for everyone to enjoy and remember for a long time. I’m sure it will be memorable!
TB: In sertanejo, the competition is very fierce. What’s the secret to staying at the top of the charts?
M: The secret to staying at the top is mainly to make a good CD and deliver the best songs to the audience. We take great care when making a new project, so that it is truly good from start to finish. Also, whenever we release a new song and present a new project, we strive to do the best promotion possible, whether on the radio or the internet, so that as many people as possible can know and enjoy our music. So, to sum it up, it takes a lot of work and respect for the audience, who is the greatest asset of the artist, and for whom we must always give our best.
TB: Do you enjoy other musical styles? Who inspires your work?
M: We enjoy various musical styles. Of course, we really like sertanejo, but we also have other influences. The main one for both me and Belutti is Roupa Nova, which we both love. A lot of our sound has influences from what we have listened to throughout our lives. And Roupa Nova is part of that. From other countries, Belutti really likes Luis Miguel, and we both really like Bon Jovi and Michael Bublé. I am passionate about Michael Jackson. I really like his sound and other bands as well. In Brazil, I also really enjoy Charlie Brown Jr., which has nothing to do with sertanejo. Just because we sing sertanejo doesn’t mean we only listen to one musical style. We are influenced by various styles and bands.
TB: Sertanejo has become “pop,” meaning it has gained popular appeal, and at least on the BR Day NY stage, it cannot be left out. What do you attribute this popularity to?
M: I believe it is a mix of factors that make sertanejo such a strong style. The unity of the artists in the genre is one of them. We participate together in different projects. In shows, one artist sings the other’s song. This unity is very important. There is also the fact that the sertanejo style is evolving every year. Nowadays, I see this happening every month! There are influences from global pop and other styles. We bring that into our sound and transform our sertanejo, with the introduction of the accordion, guitar, and rhythms like Vanera, which are extremely sertanejo. I think these changes are what keep sertanejo music always feeling fresh. That’s what we always bet on.
The Power of Claudia Leitte
The Brasilians: You participated in BR Day NY in 2006 when you were part of Babado Novo. What do you remember about that experience?
Claudia Leitte: I remember the outfit I wore at the show, and it was also during BR Day NY that I debuted my blue guitar! I will never forget the emotion of being able to sing for such a large audience, when over a million people filled the avenue. It was also very special to sing in New York for the first time. It was incredible! The people were emotional, and so was I. It was a moment full of love; I remember that very well.
TB: And what do you expect for this year?
CL: I hope everything goes very well! I have a plan for the carnival of 2018, and I hope everything happens exactly as we are planning, or even better.
TB: What new things will you bring to BR Day NY this year?
CL: I will be bringing my newest show “Claudia 10,” a tour that tells my story over ten years of a solo career.
TB: You have an international career and have performed in various countries. What differentiates the audience of BR Day NY from others?
Photo André Schiliró[/caption>
CL: The audience at BR Day NY gathers in New York because they miss our country a lot. That’s a fact. They are not just going to a show or a party like happens at events in other countries. BR Day NY has an unmatched energy because it brings a mix of longing with the energy that Brazilians have.
TB: While dividing your time between Brazil and Los Angeles, you are also an immigrant. How is your life in the United States? Can you walk the streets without needing to take a selfie?
CL: Sometimes I do take selfies because Brazilians are everywhere in the world! But I confess that I am missing that a bit. When I walk down the street here, I think, “what a strange thing!” But then suddenly a Brazilian appears wanting to talk and take a picture, and that’s very nice too. But I am very happy to be able to divide my time between the two countries. I go back and forth all the time. At first, it was tiring, but over time I got used to it. Working abroad has been very inspiring and has brought me a lot of positive influence for what I am building in Brazil and abroad.
The Joy of Sorriso Maroto
The Brasilians: This will be Sorriso Maroto’s first time on the BR Day NY stage. Is the group excited for the show?
Bruno Cardoso: It’s a dream come true to play at this party. BR Day NY is the main Brazilian event outside the country. Besides the excitement of singing for thousands of people in the heart of New York, there’s a mix of sensations that are super interesting. We will be with an audience that is very nostalgic 
for Brazilian music, the Brazilian people, and Sorriso itself… at the same time, the audience will find Sorriso eager to help them satisfy that longing through the sound we will create with them. It’s the perfect chemistry for an unforgettable day.
TB: What is the group planning to present at BR Day NY?
BC: We will present a selection from almost 20 years of Sorriso’s career. It will be the “best of” our repertoire. We will party with “Assim você mata o papai” and also get the crowd dancing closely to the sounds of “Futuro prometido,” “Me olha nos olhos,” “Não tem perdão,” and many others. We are preparing great surprises for this show.
TB: In 2016, the group had three songs among the most played on the radio. What’s behind Sorriso Maroto’s success?
BC: It’s hard to exemplify. We believe in the result of teamwork. A work that starts in the songwriting process, goes into the recording of the album, and ends on the radio and at the show. That final stage is where the audience makes it happen or not. We are grateful to everyone who made these songs happen throughout our country and around the world. Thank you to everyone who took us to places we never imagined we would reach.
TB: Sorriso has recorded with artists from different styles, such as Wesley 
Safadão and Roupa Nova. What are the group’s influences when composing and producing your albums?
BC: Sorriso is an open-minded band. We are constantly influenced by everything we see and hear. And that ends up reflecting in our work. The collaborations on this album reflect our way of thinking and making music. When we work with an artist from a different genre, we don’t think about the musical differences of the style we belong to. We believe that, in the musical language, anything is possible. The language of musical notes, melodies, and chords cannot be separated by genres. That’s why we mix everything and incorporate it into our way of making music and samba. Always in search of a new combination, perhaps a new DNA.
TB: What is it like to take pagode, a rhythm typical of Rio de Janeiro, to a show with an audience from all over Brazil and also from other nationalities?
BC: It will be an incredible experience. After all, samba is from Brazil; it’s ours. I believe Sorriso will have an amazing reception from the Brazilian audience. And I’ll say more: Even those who don’t know how to samba will samba. You can bet on it!