Loka – Simone & Simaria ft. Anitta

Released in January 2017, “Loka” by Simone & Simaria featuring Brazilian pop star Anitta is a fiery, emotionally charged anthem that blends sertanejo music with pop and reggaeton influences. The song became an instant hit in Brazil and beyond, marking a pivotal moment for the duo Simone & Simaria and solidifying their place in the Brazilian music scene. Featuring a collaboration with Anitta, one of Brazil’s biggest pop stars, the track combines powerful lyrics about love, heartbreak, and female empowerment with infectious rhythms that resonate across multiple genres.

With over half a billion views on YouTube, “Loka” is not just a song but a cultural phenomenon that speaks to women experiencing the pain of unreciprocated love and the emotional journey of moving on. It connects with listeners by portraying the complex emotions surrounding relationships, all while encouraging a message of strength and independence. The collaboration between sertanejo queens Simone & Simaria and pop sensation Anitta exemplifies the power of female solidarity, turning the song into an anthem for women seeking to reclaim their confidence after heartbreak.

The Story Behind “Loka”
“Loka,” which translates to “crazy” in English, speaks to the emotional rollercoaster women often experience in relationships. The lyrics focus on the internal conflict many women face when they are hurt by someone they care about but find themselves unable to let go entirely. In the song, Simone & Simaria, along with Anitta, address a woman who is heartbroken and advises her to stop pining over someone who doesn’t deserve her affection. Instead of dwelling on sadness, they encourage her to live her life fully, go out, have fun, and regain her confidence.

The song is a mix of sertanejo and reggaeton, with a strong pop influence, creating a unique sound that resonates with a broad audience. Simone & Simaria, often dubbed as the “Queens of Sertanejo,” are known for their emotional and heartfelt ballads within the Brazilian country music genre. However, with “Loka,” they ventured into new musical territory, experimenting with reggaeton beats and catchy hooks, making the track accessible not only to sertanejo fans but also to fans of pop and urban music.

Anitta’s presence on the track adds an extra layer of flair. Known for her vibrant personality and sensual style, Anitta brings a pop sensibility that perfectly complements Simone & Simaria’s emotive vocals. Her participation elevates the song’s reach, appealing to her vast fanbase and helping to introduce sertanejo music to new listeners. Together, the trio creates a dynamic that is as empowering as it is entertaining.

The Lyrics: An Anthem of Strength and Moving On
The lyrics of “Loka” are a plea to anyone who feels trapped in the throes of heartbreak. Simone, Simaria, and Anitta sing directly to a woman who is emotionally distraught, spending her days crying over someone who doesn’t appreciate her. The song opens with a confrontation about why she’s wasting her time on someone who doesn’t care, and the chorus urges her to shake off the sadness and move on.

One of the standout lines from the chorus, “Para de se machucar, sai dessa vida de sofrência” (Stop hurting yourself, get out of this life of suffering), reflects the empowering message at the heart of the song. The use of the term “sofrência” refers to the act of wallowing in sorrow, a word often associated with Brazilian sertanejo music, which frequently explores themes of heartache and pain. However, in “Loka,” the women turn this around, offering a message of resilience and emotional liberation.

As the song progresses, the focus shifts to a celebration of life and self-worth. Instead of staying home and crying over a lost love, they encourage the heartbroken woman to get dressed, go out with her friends, and enjoy herself. The lyrics suggest that her happiness shouldn’t be dependent on someone who doesn’t appreciate her, and she should instead embrace her independence and joy.

The Music: A Fusion of Sertanejo, Pop, and Reggaeton
Musically, “Loka” is an exciting fusion of genres. Simone & Simaria’s sertanejo roots are present in the song’s emotional depth and storytelling, but the reggaeton beat, pop hooks, and catchy rhythm give it a modern, international appeal. The song’s production, helmed by Brazilian hitmaker Umberto Tavares, is sleek and contemporary, combining urban rhythms with traditional Brazilian influences.

The song opens with a reggaeton rhythm, immediately setting a danceable tone. The blend of sertanejo’s heartfelt melodies and reggaeton’s upbeat, driving rhythm creates an interesting contrast, making the song both emotionally rich and highly energetic. The addition of Anitta’s smooth, sultry voice in the chorus helps to merge these styles seamlessly, making “Loka” not just a genre crossover but a song that can appeal to fans of all kinds of music.

The music video, directed by Anitta herself, features all three women exuding confidence and style, as they perform the song’s choreography. The visual elements of the video further emphasize the song’s message of empowerment, with Simone, Simaria, and Anitta seen enjoying life, dancing, and showing the importance of female solidarity. The video’s sleek, high-energy production, featuring vibrant colors and glamorous outfits, captures the celebratory vibe of the song, making it a perfect visual representation of the lyrics’ message.

Success and Cultural Impact
“Loka” was an instant success upon its release. The song quickly became a chart-topping hit in Brazil, and its popularity spread throughout Latin America. It reached number one on various Brazilian music charts, including Billboard Brasil’s Hot 100, and became one of the most-streamed songs in Brazil in 2017.

The music video’s viral success on YouTube, where it has amassed over 700 million views, also contributed to the song’s global reach. The collaboration between sertanejo stars and a pop icon like Anitta helped to break down genre barriers, introducing Simone & Simaria’s music to a wider audience and expanding their influence beyond the sertanejo genre.

For many fans, “Loka” became an anthem of female empowerment. Its message of resilience and moving on from toxic relationships resonated deeply with women, and the infectious rhythm and uplifting energy made it a favorite at parties, clubs, and festivals. The song’s fusion of sertanejo, pop, and reggaeton elements also symbolized the growing diversity and innovation within Brazilian music, as artists from different genres came together to create something new and exciting.

Conclusion: A Modern Brazilian Classic
Simone & Simaria’s “Loka,” featuring Anitta, is more than just a hit song; it’s a powerful anthem that speaks to the emotions of heartbreak and the strength it takes to move on. The combination of sertanejo, reggaeton, and pop creates a unique sound that appeals to a broad audience, while the lyrics offer a message of empowerment and self-worth. As the song continues to resonate with listeners years after its release, “Loka” remains a defining track in the careers of Simone & Simaria and a symbol of the ever-evolving landscape of Brazilian music.

LOKA
(Rafinha RSQ / Kayky Ventura / Simone / Simaria)

Cadê você que ninguém viu
Desapareceu, do nada sumiu
Tá por aí tentando esquecer um cara safado que te fez sofrer

Cadê você onde se escondeu
Porque sofre se ele não te mereceu
Insiste em ficar em cima desse muro
Espera mudança em que não tem futuro

Deixa esse cara de lado
Você apenas escolheu o cara errado
Sofre no presente por causa do seu passado
Do que adianta chorar pelo leite derramado

Poe aquela roupa e o batom
Entra no carro, amiga, aumenta o som

E bota uma moda boa
Vamos curtir a noite de patroa
Azarar os boys beijar na boa
Aproveitar a noite e ficar louca
Esquece ele e fica louca, louca, louca
Agora chora no colo da patroa, louca, louca…

FICHA TÉCNICA:
Direção Geral: Simaria Mendes
Direção: Anselmo Troncoso
Roteiro: Simaria e Anselmo Troncoso
Assistente de Direção: Luana Pimenta
Produção: Claudio Rezende
Diretor de Fotografia: João Luz
Câmera: Maurício Augusto

Músicos
Cabrera: Arranjo, Guitarra, Sintetizadores
Thiago Rabello: Bateria
Ale di Viera: Percussão
Bórqz: Violão
Luizinho Souza: Baixo
Bolinha (Jordão Mota): Sanfona