Brazilian-born, Halifax-based Warlet is a singer, rapper, producer and championship beatboxer making music that moves through hip hop, R&B and Latin sounds with an edge she describes simply as “raw and punchy”. Ahead of LOUD WOMEN Fest Halifax, and with new Halloween project DEAD7Y landing the day before the Fest, we caught up with Warlet to talk sexism in hip hop, emotionally unavailable men, working multiple jobs to keep the dream moving, and the unexpected lyrical possibilities of working part-time at Spencer’s.
First things first: why Warlet?
Warlet is one of my three last names. That’s just how things work in Brazilian culture.
There were always loads of Gabrielas around me growing up, so in classes it would constantly be, “Which Gabriela?” “Warlet.” I was Warlet for so long that it just made sense. Plus, it’s such a cool last name that I had to use it.
Tell us about the music.
I’m a solo artist. I sing, rap, produce and beatbox.
Geographically, home is São Paulo, Brazil first, and now Nova Scotia, Canada. Musically, it’s hip hop, R&B and Latin music.
My new project DEAD7Y comes out on 23 October. Each song represents a sin, and it’s really about recognising the ugliest parts of yourself with transparency so you can become a better version of yourself. There is no change without self-awareness.
I’ve always been drawn to dark, spooky visuals and concepts too, so a Halloween project made perfect sense to me.
What’s it like making this music in Nova Scotia?
It’s a very cool scene, but the genres I make are unfortunately dominated by men.
I wish there were more women doing similar things where I am, but I happily go out of my way to represent women and show that we can do any genre out there whenever I can.
I often see audience members arrive early, say hi to the male rappers performing later, and completely ignore me because they assume I’m just “someone’s girlfriend”.
Then after I perform they come over and congratulate me, almost as if they’re surprised.
I’m never assumed to be participating unless they’ve already heard my name, and I’m fully aware that’s because I’m a woman.
If you could rip up one music-industry myth, what would it be?
The myth of the perfect path.
You have to try hard and fail a hundred times. A lot of famous artists don’t talk about the real grind behind it: the millions of noes, working part-time retail jobs to make ends meet, the videos with zero likes, the hate comments.
Everything is built.
There’s a great story behind ‘(don’t) love’.
‘(don’t) love’ uses a sample of J. Cole’s ‘No Role Modelz’. He says, “don’t save her, she don’t wanna be saved”, and I made a song in response about situationships and being in love with an emotionally unavailable person who seems to love you but still refuses to risk their comfort and choose you.
So I sing: “don’t love him, he don’t wanna be loved.”
I have a lot of girls who sing that line with a lot of passion. It’s a pretty common experience for women in straight relationships.
And some lyrics come from considerably stranger places…
That happens to me a lot.
I have a song on the upcoming EP called ‘hAte yoU dEarly’. My boyfriend and I have this joke where every time he doesn’t do what I want, I say, “So you hate me?” Then I exaggerate it: “You hate me severely”, “You hate me inherently”…
One day I said, “You hate me dearly.” He’s also a rapper and musician, and immediately said, “That would be a fire song name.” I wrote it the next day.
Another favourite is from ‘OUT OF MY ZONE’. I like clever bars and shock value when I rap, sometimes sounding vulgar as a parody of the way male rappers speak, or just reclaiming that language.
I took a part-time job at Spencer’s to help with bills, and they sell Clone-A-Willy kits. Naturally, that somehow became:
“Told bitches to get off my dick, they want Clone-A-Willy.”
What’s been the biggest hurdle?
Being an immigrant and often working three or more jobs, sometimes five in total, just to pay the bills.
I still struggle financially, but I try to live by the idea that every decision comes with sacrifices, whether that’s taking big risks or avoiding them.
I have a goal and a dream to achieve, so I keep moving forward with a smile on my face. For the most part!
What are you proudest of?
As a beatboxer, I made the top eight at the Brazilian national championships two years in a row, and became Female Latin American Champion in 2021.
As an artist, getting to play shows like Nova Scotia Music Week and festivals like LOUD WOMEN Fest means a lot. As an immigrant, I had to find my way through a completely new scene, country and language by networking and putting myself out there.
I also decided this year to really build my online fanbase, and grew to almost 13,000 followers in two or three months.
I take a lot of pride in how consistent, passionate and disciplined I’ve become. Everything I achieve through that hard work becomes extremely special.
Who’s on the collaboration wishlist?
There are so many: Bad Bunny, Drake, brakence, ROSALÍA, Rico Nasty, The Kid LAROI, Don Toliver…
Hopefully one day!
What’s next?
DEAD7Y comes out on 23 October, followed immediately by LOUD WOMEN Fest Halifax on 24 October.
Then on 6 November I’m throwing Haliween: A Rap Halloween Party, a big Halloween show and release party.
Find and support Warlet here.
Catch Warlet at LOUD WOMEN Fest Halifax at The Seahorse Tavern on Saturday 24 October, alongside Alanna Matty + Altered by Mom + Amygdala Hijack + Burry + Freya Milliken + Penny & The Pits + SALTLAMP + Shoulder Season + We, Cassie. Get tickets here.
