Marcos Rosa, a talented singer and songwriter, is living the peak of his musical career when he fulfilled his dream of performing on the stage of Rock in Rio as a backing vocalist for the renowned singer Iza. Originally from Belford Roxo and with a unique style, Marcos overcame all adversities and challenges to get where he is today.
In 2018, Marcos expressed his desire to become a backing vocalist for Iza in a tweet, even though he faced disbelief from many people towards his vocal capabilities due to his distinctive voice. However, years later, in 2022, the singer’s team personally invited him to join her on the Rock in Rio stage. This invitation represents the realization of a dream and the reward for all of Marcos’ hard work and dedication.
Born in a community and raised far from the center, Marcos has always sought opportunities for improvement through free courses. From a young age, he stood out in the local church choir for his powerful and engaging voice. Her vocal talent and unique style became her trademark.
Recently, Marcos released his single “Satélite Natural” on May 5th, coinciding with his birthday. The song, written for an ex-boyfriend during the onset of the pandemic, is a testament to Marcos’ desire to offer comfort and hope through his music. The release of the single marked an important moment in his solo career, receiving great recognition and support from the public.
In addition to his solo career, Marcos is a member of the bands Brigitte and Merlot, and is also preparing for a new experience as part of the cast of the musical “Síndroma”, scheduled for release in July. For him, this represents another dream come true, as he will have the opportunity to work with his teenage idol, Jay Vaquer, who is now the director of the musical, and the talented singer Jane Duboc. Rehearsals have been intense and challenging, but Marcos is determined to deliver an unforgettable and moving performance.
Marcos Rosa is a source of inspiration for many, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve success regardless of ethnic origin, sexual orientation or place of origin. His story is an example of perseverance, talent and determination, and he continues to break barriers and conquer new horizons in the music industry.
What was it like to receive the invitation to join Iza on the Rock in Rio stage? What was your initial reaction?
The invitation came through Instagram. The arranger, Letícia Pedroza, whose work I already knew, sent me a message asking if I was interested and available. I was thrilled! The day was one of the best of my life, we delivered a beautiful show because it was a giant, extremely competent and committed team. I had never even been to Rock In Rio! I debuted on the World Stage, to work with what I love, alongside one of the greatest singers of our time. I still have trouble defining this feeling, but it’s great. I want more.
Sharing your desire to sing backup for Iza on Twitter in 2018 and seeing it come true in 2022 is truly inspiring. How do you feel to see your dream come true?
I feel possible. I feel like I can actually be whatever I want. And I want to be and I am an artist. I have other dreams, some even bigger. I think the biggest dream I have is to live with dignity, with paid bills, eating well and making art. Wealth may be a consequence of this, but maybe not too and it’s ok. Worthy enough.
Your distinctive voice has received some criticism in the past, but now you’re being recognized for your uniqueness. How do you deal with these criticisms and how do you feel about having earned your place in the music industry?
I don’t feel like I’ve earned my place in the music industry. I understood that my timbre team is unique and not strange and that with technique study I can achieve different textures. I feel like I managed to pierce a certain bubble. I met a group of people who are also looking for a place and we help each other. We refer ourselves to jobs, participate with little or no money in our friends’ projects to achieve visibility through the success of the niche as well. I think there’s still a long way to go to have a place in the music industry, but I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far, but there’s still a long way to go.
The release of his single “Satélite Natural” was a significant moment in his solo career. What does this song represent to you and what message do you want to convey to listeners through it?
It’s a song I wrote at the beginning of the pandemic for a great love that will always be a great love in the space where he lives. It’s my first solo release and it’s also the first lovesong I’ve written. My friends say that I am the sun in various interpretations of their beliefs. I like the function, but I wanted to put it in a song that, for love, I can be a star that orbits too.
In addition to your solo career, you are also a member of the band Brigitte and Merlot. How do you balance your different musical experiences and how do they each contribute to your artistic growth?
I think Brigitte Merlot allows me to be one of the things that I am, which is a crooner. We are four heads thinking about a sound that accounts for everyone’s existence. Different people with different experiences wanting to tell a story. We instrumentalize blues, jazz and rock and roll. In my solo work I want to do a kind of electro jazz, pop line with a lot of vocal appeal. The things I want to talk about also differ. In addition to Brigitte Merlot, I also sing in a choir, Madrigal do Villa, from the Villa-Lobos Music School, I’m always open to other projects as well. I like to be versatile in singing.
You are preparing for a new experience as part of the cast of the musical “Síndroma”. How has it been working with your teenage idol, Jay Vaquer, now as director, and the talented singer Jane Duboc? What are your expectations for the premiere of the musical?
Enriching just as I thought it would be. More than a fan of Jay’s work, I am greatly inspired by the fact that he is a singer who studies a lot, an unusual composer and that this, in his case, comes “from the cradle”, not excluding, obviously, the need to always improve. Jane is an artist that anyone who doesn’t know should know and “suck” all the knowledge she has and is willing to pass on. In addition to the commitment to deliver excellence in Syndrome, the process only adds to my career. There is no average person in this musical. Syndrome will definitely be loved and hated by many. The themes are of extreme importance and discomfort. I believe that the audience’s experience will be breathtaking!
His story is an inspiration to many people who want to follow their dreams in the music industry. What advice would you give to those facing adversity and challenges in pursuit of their own success?
Dreaming is important, it makes you not give up, but strategy is essential. You need to know how to speak several languages, always update yourself and play crazy when people are scrotum. Look for the free courses and be bold. It doesn’t have any fancy secrets, I think. Basically I would tell you to study hard, have faith and not be afraid to hear no.
What are your future plans in music? Are there any special projects you’re working on or any artists you’d like to collaborate with?
I want to be able to launch my authorial work with all the audiovisuals I think of. Do it without worrying about money. What would make me most happy is to make my ideas viable for the public. Record and launch!
Someone I would really like to work with is Liniker. Whether it’s backing vocals or having the opportunity to record a single with her… Whatever. It is a language with which I identify a lot, she is a complete artist. I participated in an edition of Música Boa Ao Vivo as a backing vocalist once and she told me that she loved her covers in my voice, I was speechless.
How do you hope your music and story can impact others and inspire them to pursue their dreams?
I think I share identities with a lot of people. I always try to be honest with who I am: a black man, LGBTQIAP+, from the periphery, essentially an artist, who loves, suffers, is happy, critical and longs for better places. But my lyrics talk about the same thing as everyone else, with this difference in the perspective of my existence. I have the opinions I have because of who I am. I believe that there are many people who go through the same things that I go through and who will identify themselves even without obvious elements, through language. Both the verbal and the sonority.
Finally, what do you love most about music and how has it influenced your life in general?
Music literally keeps me alive. Whether it’s the desire to understand more and more or simply perform It’s something I chose to do until I die. Singing, playing, teaching, producing… What I like most about music is that it always carries the power of reframing. Music doesn’t get old, it just changes context and changes contexts, including social ones, as it was with Seu Jorge, with Ludmilla, with Mumuzinho and other artists who are success stories from which I am inspired.
Follow Marcos Rosa on Instagram