Nay Porttela is a Brazilian singer and songwriter from Goiânia, a small city near the capital Brasilia in central Brazil. She has released four albums, showcasing her unique voice blended with piano, synthesizers, and Brazilian rhythms such as pagode, reggae maranhense, bossa nova and arrocha. She has collaborated with both national and international artists, including Nilze Carvalho and French artist REB. Through her music, Nay explores cultural diversity, fusing various rhythms and genres. Her songs often address modern themes such as toxic relationships, empathy on social media, and the importance of rest. She also views music as a deeply aesthetic and communicative form, complementing her sound with visual artistry that reflects her background in fashion.
Featured Songs:
The Global Women track, "Bahia Com H" (Bahia with an ‘H’), is a popular Brazilian song written in the 1940s by Denis Brean. It celebrates the cultural and scenic richness of the state of Bahia. “I am the friend who happily returns to your open arms, Bahia / I am a poet and don’t want to stay away from your magic / Let me see / Your mansions, churches, your saints, hills / And mountains just like a postcard.”
"Samba da Benção" (Samba of Blessing) is a Brazilian bossa nova classic by Vinícius de Moraes and Baden Powell. Celebrating samba as a way of life, the Café International song reflects on love, longing, and the human condition. “It’s better to be joyful than to be sad / Joy is the best thing there is / It’s like a light in the heart / But to make a samba with beauty / You need a little bit of sadness.”
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