After almost a decade of bringing forró with its Northeastern identity to stages across Brazil and the world, Paraíba-born singer and composer Felipe Alcântara takes an unprecedented step in his career: the release of his first fully Catholic EP, “Daqui Pro Céu,” scheduled for September 2025. Nationally known since his participation in Superstar (Globo) as the lead singer of the band Os Gonzagas, Felipe explains that the project is a natural movement in his artistic and spiritual life, bringing together compositions made over the years in moments of prayer and communion with God — without giving up the forró that has always been at the base of his music.
Felipe, you called this project a “natural step” rather than a career change. At what point did you realize these songs, written over years, were ready to conquer the world?
I believe in the right timing for everything. Sometimes we spend years working on something that seems trivial to outsiders , and even to ourselves , because often we see no fruit from it. That’s how these songs were : I wrote them in very true and profound moments with God and my humanity, and I kept these ideas tucked away, with no idea when they would be released, if they would be released, or even if they would be useful. After my first visit to Círio de Nazaré, I began to open myself to the real possibility of sharing these songs that speak of my faith. From that openness, things began to happen, and, very naturally, God showed me that the time was right. This only reinforces how much I need to be attentive to His signs, because He always gives me much more than I deserve.
The 2024 Círio de Nazaré seems to have been an important milestone for you. What was it like to sing for thousands of people that day and realize that your music could have such a spiritual impact?
I felt extremely happy, but it was a happiness that transcended what I already felt singing the songs I ‘d always sung. There I realized that, more than entertainment, with God’s grace I was helping transform hearts — and I could feel it in a very special way. I left the stage at the opening of Círio 2024 convinced that I needed to experience that more often. And from then on, God opened new paths. Many times I couldn’t even see the ground, but, by faith, I put my foot down. And that’s how I got here, to the release of Daqui pro Céu.
You mentioned that “Daqui pro Céu” maintains forró as its foundation, but with lyrics designed for prayer, dancing, and transformation. What was the process of balancing this Northeastern identity with the message of faith you want to convey?
I tried to follow 100% of what was in my heart , without being tied to labels or conditioning the creative process. I received tremendous help from Henrique Cirino, the project’s music producer, who helped me structure the ideas without forgetting my roots . So , as I finalized the arrangements, the elements to be used, the references, I moved ever closer to my own history in music and faith. That’s why these Northeastern elements and the lyrics overflowed so naturally. I simply followed my heart.
In 2016, your testimony of chastity gained national attention. How do you feel that exposure helped prepare the public to now embrace this even more intimate side of your journey?
I don’t know exactly the impact of that participation in the Encontro com Fátima Bernardes, but I feel that, from that moment on, the audience that already followed me — or started to follow me later — understood that I don’t treat the Catholic faith as a random topic or just in speech. I seek to follow, with all my human limitations, between mistakes and successes, what God and the Holy Church ask of me. Given this, and from the messages I’ve received since the release of Daqui pro Céu, I believe this work didn’t surprise anyone. Many people saw it as a natural step. I received messages like: “I was really hoping this moment would come,” “Now go sing what you live!”, “I’ve waited so long for this moment!” In short, this reinforces a bit of this natural process that I always mention.
Many people associate religious music with something solemn or distant. Do you believe that forró can bring people closer to faith, making it lighter and more celebratory?
I believe in God’s action, and music is a tool with enormous transformative power. The songs I make are meant to help people draw closer to God in less solemn contexts. My intention is for people to hear these messages in their daily lives—at home, at a party, in the car, on a trip—that they become a part of their lives and, above all, that this brings them closer to God. So I do believe that forró has the power to bring people closer to faith in a simpler, more lighthearted way, and God has the power to act precisely in this openness!
You’ve mentioned receiving messages from people saying your songs were an “answer to prayer.” How do you handle the responsibility of being a channel for such profound experiences in someone’s life?
This is the main reason it took me so long to release a song about my faith and God. I know the responsibility that comes with singing for Him, and I don’t want to do it any old way, not even with intentions that might jeopardize my faith . Music is my work , but before I work, I need to kneel before the One who gave me health, voice, intelligence, opportunity, talents, and, above all, life. If I lose that, I lose everything. Therefore, I ask for wisdom to deal with everything that will come with the release of these songs, especially in the spiritual realm. I treat everything with respect, love, zeal, and submission to God, and I pray that I never take my eyes off Him until the last day of my life.
Even with this new work, you’ve made it clear that you’re not abandoning forró. What will it be like balancing these two repertoires—popular and spiritual—on stage from now on?
I want it to be very natural! I’m forging a new path and I don’t know what awaits me ahead , but at the same time, I ‘ve been working in forró for many years, I have a show planned, a team, and I’ll continue performing forró as long as God allows. On the other hand, this new repertoire and this new show will allow me to reach other hearts. I’m willing to work hard to continue singing and sharing my testimony of faith wherever the Lord leads me.
Finally, if you could leave a message for someone who is currently going through a difficult time, just like you did before composing these songs, what would be the main lesson that “Daqui pro Céu” carries for those who need hope?
Life is simpler than we think when we have a goal: heaven ! May our heaven be negotiable . May our values, our faith , and the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ not be traded for anything in this world, because the world passes away, but our soul is eternal. I conclude with a quote from Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus: “We have only this brief moment of life to give to the Good Lord.”
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