Note from BW of Brazil: My, my, how people come up in the world! I still remember a few years ago when it seemed that every car that went by in the street was bumpin’ “Fala Mal de Mim” and I thought to myself, ‘who IS that?’ No exaggeration. It sees that every year there’s a song that’s so hot it seems that you hear it in the streets every five minutes. A few years back, one of those songs was Naldo Benny’s “Amor de Chocolate” (about 45 million vews on You Tube). Then there was Anitta’s “Show das Poderosas” (113 million views).
Although “Fala Mal” garnered ‘only’ about 2 million views, the catchy little tune would bring the singer then known as MC Beyoncé exposure and an eventual contract with a major record label. Next thing you know, with a media blitz and now known as Ludmilla, the singer lands her own mega hit in ‘Hoje’ that has received over 62 million views at last count. Another catchy and more polished tune, the video for the song helped catapult the singer into the mainstream, which, racially-speaking, seems was the exact objective of the video with its ode to the eugenics movement theme.
Anyway, it appears that life has been good for MC Beyoncé, or MC Ludmilla, but we had no idea it’s been THAT good! Of course it’s great to see a success story but, not surprisingly, as a black artist the singer has shown that she is not willing to “de-negrify” herself to achieve that crossover appeal. More on that later, but for now, check out another inspiring “rags to riches” story!
Ludmilla earns R$1 million per month, she purchases speedboat from $300 thousand and becomes the poster girl for food brand
The funkeira (funk singer) of the moment, with about 20 shows per month and a cache ranging from R$50 thousand to 120 thousand per performance, Ludmilla has seen her bank account fill up more and more and, at 20, is bringing in at least R$1 million weekly. And where is so much money going? Mostly to fulfill the dreams of the funkeira, who grew up in Duque de Caxias, in Rio’s Baixada Fluminense region, and can now pay for what she wants. Just this week, she gave herself a boat as a present at cost to the tune of R$300,000, and a jet ski, of R$35,000.
The singer also owns a mansion in the Jardim Guanabara, a prime region of Ilha de Governador, which is worth R$1 million, although she didn’t admit having paid this amount when she purchased the home in July of last year. The boat, a 31 foot Coral, with an internal cabin, including a bed and fridge, was a gift that she gave herself for Christmas. The pampering was accompanied by a jet ski and displayed proudly by the funkeira on social networks. The girl still has a big car, a Chevrolet Blazer, valued at R$140,000, and a bike she gave as a gift to her uncle.
Despite the wave of ostentation, the owner of the hit “É hoje” keeps her feet on the ground and curbs her spending. The one who manages the finances of the singer is her mother, Silvana Oliveira, with the help of an accountant and businessman.
“Although it doesn’t look like it, she didn’t spend a lot, and always asks for our opinion when she wants to buy something valuable, as she did with the house and the car. But the boat I didn’t know about. What Ludmilla wants, in fact, is to have fun with childhood friends and family. She wants to provide moments of happiness for everyone,” says the businessman Alexandre Baptestini.
Today, much of the Ludmilla’s income also comes from licensed products such as nail polish and colonies, and advertisements that she does. The funkeira entered with her right foot in the advertising market, especially after he was invited to sing in the special year-end show of singer Roberto Carlos.
“Contractors ended up viewing Ludmilla differently. In addition to the Mundial supermarket commercial (which is on the air), she was hired to do advertising for Sadia,” says Alexander.
Beyond profits, Ludmilla also has many expenses with a staff and record label, which means that much of the R$1 million she receives goes to paying expenses. Altogether twenty-two employees work for Ludmilla, among them dancers, production, an office, advisors and even a personal stylist, as well as a hairdresser and makeup artist. Of the money that she earns, she reserves a part for costumes and already confessed that he spent R$10,000 on a single purchase. And what will be the next acquisition of the singer? A jet? “No. She’s just beginning. She still can’t buy a plane, no (laughs),” says the entrepreneur.
Note from BW of Brazil: OK so Ludmilla has been featured on this blog a few times in the past but you still might be wondering how her career exploded so quickly. Below, the Toda Teen blog provides a quick summary of her rise to the top of Brazil’s music charts.
From MC Beyoncé to Ludmila: the before and after of the singer!
Posted by Isabela Giordan
The singer rocked in 2015 and promises to bring it in 2016. Learn about Ludmilla’s career!
At only 20 years of age, Ludmilla Oliveira da Silva, better known as Ludmilla, is out and about in the world of music and social networks, is she not? Only on her Instagram account, the singer has over two million followers!
But to get to where she is, the carioca (Rio-born) singer went through a lot! Do you remember everything? To help you, tt made a list with the before and after of the singer. Check it out:
MC Beyoncé to Ludmilla: the before and after of the singer!
- Ludmilla began brand new in the world of music, the singer came out on Youtube at only 17 and under the pseudonym MC Beyoncé, inspired by the American singer Beyoncé Knowles.
- Her first successful video was “Fala Mal de Mim” which currently has over 2 million views on Youtube;
- However, in 2013, after some contractual problems, the singer abandoned her pseudonym and changed her stage name to MC Ludmilla, her birth name;
- Soon after, Ludmilla signed a record deal with Warner Music, which boosted her career!
- And in 2014, she released her first album, titled Hoje;
- The album yielded two tours for the singer: “Hoje” (2014) and “Poder da Preta” (meaning power of the black woman) in 2015;
- Although still performing as MC Ludmilla in some concerts, the singer removed the “MC” from her album because the record company found that the stores didn’t accept the CD well.
- Already in 2015, Ludmilla decided to undergo a cosmetic change and had two plastic surgeries: a rhinoplasty and liposuction;
- Speaking of 2015, this was certainly the singer’s year! Besides releasing several hits, Ludmilla won the award for best song at the “Melhores do Ano” (Best of the Year) on the Domingão do Faustão TV program.
- To end the year on a high note, the singer made an appearance on the special year-end show of legendary singer Roberto Carlos.
- And the singer hasn’t stopped, no! In spite of the year hardly having started, she has promised to revamp her look and release a new album! Anxious yes or for sure?
Note from BW of Brazil: So as I wrote, it IS great to see a black woman find such success in her craft. Coming from ‘the ‘hood’ to sharing the stage with the ‘Brazilian Elvis’ (Roberto Carlos) is quite a leap forward! But also this rise hasn’t come without some sacrificing of blackness and one can note this Ludmilla’s career. From the blond megahair, to the nose job to the worship of white males in her huge hit ‘Hoje’, Ludmilla once again shows that if one wants mainstream success as a black or mestiça artist, he/she must be willing to whiten up. We saw the formula work well for Anitta and Valesca Popozuda, so if it’s working for Ludmilla, more power to her. But it’s still a shame that people feel that they cannot be accepted by the mainstream if they show too many of their black roots. But I suppose, in a country like Brazil, there are probably millions of young black people who see this as a small sacrifice for fame and fortune. Oh, well…again, so much for us all being equal!
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