‘It doesn’t matter the product, when I rhymed, it was much more attractive’

For a long time in human history, Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience have debated whether talent is something that is born with the individual, whether it is developed by different factors or whether it is the result of both things. That answer is not to be found anytime soon, but the singer Shaman It’s a good case to study. After all, the rapper has an impressive ability to spread his songs and be heard by an ocean of people. There are more than 10 million a month on Spotify alone, the level of the greatest Brazilian artists (in the last week, the re-recording made by Marília Mendonça of “Leão”, his composition released by the two on the album “Zodíaco”, broke the record for Brazilian music with more reproductions in a week on this platform, surpassing “Envolver”, by Anitta). But without modesty, he remembers that he already sold well since he worked in clothing stores and also later, when he was a street vendor on the train. The artist from Rio spent the day on the tracks improvising rhymes to persuade customers to buy his packages of peanuts and other products. At the end of the day, from Monday to Friday, he still took advantage of the transport to go to the rhyming battles in different parts of the city. A beautiful intensivão of many daily rap hours.

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— I was always connected to sales, I learned to sell in the store. Then, when I wanted to go to rap, I went to the train. It didn’t matter what product I was selling, when I was rapping, he was much more attractive. I realized that this way I made more money and had more fun. Since he was already on the track, he went to battles, which always took place at night. L7nnon came from Realengo, Orochi from São Gonçalo, I came from Sepetiba, and several others. I managed to get some of them, and they from me too. We had several references in what we heard, so I think these guys got angry — the 33-year-old artist recalls with nostalgia, highlighting that these meetings are what they miss the most in the time of anonymity.

Xamã says that he has even tried to make ostentatious songs, talking about what he has achieved financially in recent years, but he confesses that he didn’t think it was cool, that this is not his thing. What the guy really flaunts is his own ability to be that ‘business man’ that drives him to achieve what he’s always wanted.

“There was a time when I got really mad. He said that everything I rhymed, I sold. Then, a guy who sold colored shoelaces bet me that I wouldn’t sell his product. In rhyme, you ask the person some questions, to make it funny. So I stopped at an aunt and she said she lived in a house on the side of the road. I ended up selling the shoelaces for her to use as a clothesline, mending them together (laughs) — boasts Xamã, who now lives in a comfortable apartment in Barra da Tijuca, which you can see on the cover photo of this issue.

Now, he adds another product to his list: Hasta La Vista perfume, in partnership with singer Luísa Sonza and inspired by their song, “Mama.Cita”. New collaborations with other brands, by the way, are still a project for 2023, especially in fashion, a personal passion.

Paternity

The singer is the father of two girls: Akasha, 5 years old, and Hanna, 1.5 years old. They are the result of relationships with actress and model Natasha Hoffemann and digital influencer Renata Gutierrez, respectively. When talking about the two, the twinkle in their eyes is immediate.

“Being a father gave me a lot of energy. I did my work with a desire in my eyes after I had my daughter. Akasha is doing theater, following in her mother’s footsteps. I took Hanna to watch her play — says Xamã, adding: — I always say “yes” to them (laughs). They already understand that when they’re going to ask me something, I’m going to say yes. Even more so when it’s something I’ve never had. Then the mothers control. Natasha is vegan, for example, so when I have a snack near my daughter, she already looks at me, because she knows I’m going to want to give her (laughs).

Paternity was a discovery for him, as Geizon (his given name) did not know his father. “I am the son of a black mother and a missing father”, he sums up. The lack of knowledge makes it difficult for him to discover his ancestry, now that he wants to seek out his indigenous roots. From the clues he found, his ancestors are from a tribe in the north of the country.

— At first, I had a hard time knowing what it’s like to be a father. I was only raised by women. My mother and grandmother played this role. But my daughters’ mothers make me very comfortable — he stresses, reflecting on the main help that money has brought him: — It’s the comfort I can give my daughters, my mother who worked a lot, my brothers ( the two youngest) and even friends. I like being that safe haven for the crowd.

Wanted

The repertoire of some romantic and other spicy songs, combined with talent and the fact that he is always well dressed (he works with stylists Tâmara Guzmán and Dione Occhipinti), in addition to other factors, made Xamã become one of the most coveted celebrities in Brazil. . He never confirmed it, but it has already been pointed out as an affair with Jade Picon, Yasmin Brunet and Luísa Sonza herself. The musician guarantees, however, that he doesn’t even stay with that many people.

— I’m working my ass off, I don’t even have time to date. If I’m with a hot friend and they take a picture, someone comes along and says that the shaman is getting it. Sometimes no. This is to be able to generate likes, likes, shares… It’s not always true — he says, adding: — When I’m single, I’m with people and stuff. I have this thought of free love (which he shows in the songs), but I don’t think that today I would have the head for a relationship. I couldn’t live 100% of that to make it work. I have my daughters, my mother, my family, work… I would have to share this attention, and mine would not find it cool.

About the heartthrob label, he jokes.

— Heartthrob is f***, right? (laughter). But I always felt beautiful, even without much condition. He was good at talking too, that helped a lot. It’s nice to feel beautiful, but I try not to let that show. Because I’m afraid to go to my head. Ego gets in the way, as do negative comments. I prefer to be recognized by music. If this heartthrob bonus comes, okay, man. It’s Tom Cruise from Bangu (laughs) — the performer of “Malvadão 3” has fun, a song that was a hit last summer and made him break all the bubbles, leaving the song among the 50 most listened to in the world.

References and releases

In addition to the partnership with Sonza, Xamã released the song “Puto de luxe” at the end of last year and is preparing the EP “OURO — O Último Romântico Online”, showing that his art ranges from bidding to romance. In the three previous albums, he always chose a theme. In 2020, “Zodíaco” brought a track for each sign, according to his vision as a Scorpio. In 2018, the first work was called “Pecado Capital”, with tracks for each of the sins. “The guy builds a castle and dies there in the construction itself”, he sums up about “Avarice”. And “The Illuminated”, from 2019, features songs with the names of movie classics, such as “A Beautiful Woman” and “Pulp Fiction”. The passion for the seventh art can even lead him to venture out as an actor. In “Travessia”, Xamã even made a cameo as himself.

— The ideal would be a character that I didn’t have to change so much and that didn’t leave my reality. Because I’m not an academic actor, but I learn things quickly, by osmosis. In the next ones, I could risk an accent. As you go, take it one step at a time — aim.