.gay Music Monday Feature: Leo Nunan

Feb 5

For this week's .gay’s Music Monday Feature, we bring you an inspiring interview with Leopold Nunan, best known as “Leo From Rio.”

We chat about celebrating his musical roots, giving voice to the voiceless, and highlighting underground expression.

Check out our interview with Brazil's latest musical sensation below.

**What inspired you to start playing and making music?**
The dance floor! A big inspiration to me, I grew up in Rio de Janeiro, and I definitely was a full-on club kid going from club to club and following DJs everywhere. From music fan to music maker was an irresistible, inevitable quick hop! My first hit, "I've got it," played nationally and also made it to MTV Brasil. I am the first house music singer out there.
**What do you like most about playing music?**
Expressing my truth and being my free self all the time. I love to perform live, that's definitely my forte, it's where I feel the most complete and heard as an artist. I love inspiring people with my music. There is nothing more intense than a live performance with live musicians, that's the ultimate fun for me as an artist, I feel like stars and planets get aligned every time. Super cool!

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

I am a chameleon when producing. I make from electronica to fully orchestrated music. I have been writing Tropical Pop Funk as a ghostwriter for Facebook under the name "Leo From Rio," too for example.

Right now, I am very proud of my debut album, LEO FROM RIO, which will be released this year. It's a mix of funk, house, pop, rock, and samba, all wrapped in a full-length album. It's a great opportunity to prepare an entire body of work, and there is so much coming through, stay tuned! This album's exactly what I have been wanting to release all my career. It's a very exciting moment!

Why do you think it’s important to be out and proud in the music industry?

There is nothing more liberating than the truth. Music's such a super exposure in all senses of the word, it doesn't go with censure. Freedom of expression it's very vital to an entertainer. Also, there is also a commitment with our community, friends, and family, we are all walking together toward a brighter future, and we can only grow from here, always moving forward. I am so proud of being gay, It makes me so happy being who I am and having the choice of loving whoever I want to love. It shows in my music, shows, performances, and lyrics, it's everywhere.

As an LGBTQ+ artist, what do you want to convey with your music?

I want to make people dance first of all. I want people to put their hands up and celebrate life with me, like so many Carnivals I have had the pleasure to experience! To touch people by celebrating my music roots, give voice to the voiceless, to highlight the underground expression. I want to be able to collaborate with other queer powerhouses and raise our voices against intolerance, inequality, and injustice. I want the beat of my drums to embrace your body with rhythm and colors, to create anthems full of uplifting harmonies to make people happy.