We are glad to have bumped into Alex Forte’s nuanced and wholesome artistry. First of all, it made us discover a great movie which we were somehow still oblivious to. ‘City of God’ acts as a pivotal element in Forte’s latest release, ‘Morena’. Greatly inspired by the 2002 Brazilian epic crime film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, Alex draws a parallel with his own experience as an African American man in the US, exploring a series of challenges and powerful reckonings that feel personal and heartfelt.
In fact, ‘Morena’ is a rather introspective record, one that takes us close to Forte’s electrifying, resilient character. The EP’s title is a reference to “a term commonly used in Brazil to describe someone with a darker complexion”; from there on, the stage is set for potent, striking lyrics delivered with a certain playfulness. That’s one of Forte’s undeniable strengths: despite the subject matter being serious, he manages to drench the EP in bright hip-hop matter.
Delving deeper into ‘Morena’, Forte explains: “Listening to Brazilian artists like Seu Jorge helped me shape the sound of this project. I wanted to create a blend of American hip hop and MPB to have a more universal world vibe. Also listening to a lot of Midnight Marauders. I would hope people would get a sense of peace and resilience after hearing these songs. Be blown away by amazing production and lyrics, and feel excited for what may come in the future.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Morena’ on Spotify:
