Ajulliacosta: rap roots to Afropunk and Grammy nomination

Ajulliacosta returns to Afropunk Brazil

Brazilian rapper Ajulliacosta returns to Afropunk Brazil festival after three years, celebrating rap roots and cultural freedom for black artists.

“Só a gente para olhar para a gente com tanta sensibilidade”

Afropunk Brazil festival details

The festival occurs on November 7 and 8, 2:00pm at Salvador's Expo Park, considered the world's largest black culture festival.

Ajulliacosta's rap journey

Ajulliacosta began writing rap at age 14 in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, with encouragement from friends and rap battles.

Grammy Latino nomination

Ajulliacosta is nominated for Grammy Latino in the Best Portuguese Language Urban Album category for her 2025 release 'Novo Testamento'.

Afropunk's cultural significance

Afropunk Brazil provides a space for black artists to be recognized with cultural sensitivity and freedom from external standards.

“Só a gente para olhar para a gente com tanta sensibilidade”

Equal stage treatment

Afropunk Brazil ensures equal stage treatment for artists, with no hierarchy or reduction of artists' status.

Entrepreneurship challenges

Ajulliacosta manages her own clothing brand AjcShop, balancing music career and business operations.

Delegation challenges

Ajulliacosta learned to delegate tasks as her business and music careers grew, overcoming initial resistance to sharing responsibilities.

Rap identity preservation

Ajulliacosta emphasizes maintaining rap roots as part of her identity, believing rap shaped her as a person.

Grammy expectations

Ajulliacosta hopes to win Grammy Latino but focuses on the learning process rather than immediate victory.

“É lógico que a gente quer trazer o Grammy para casa. Está todo mundo tipo: 'Vamos trazer, vamos buscar'.”

Cultural identity

Ajulliacosta wants to be remembered as an artist who occupied necessary spaces without breaking her roots.

Rap as identity

Ajulliacosta believes rap formed her identity and continues to influence her actions and choices.

“Eu acho que o rap me formou como ser humano, então ele tem que estar nas minhas atitudes também, nas coisas que eu vou trazer para o mundo.”

Career journey

From writing rap at age 14 in Mogi das Cruzes to Grammy Latino nomination, Ajulliacosta has built a career focused on cultural identity.

Future goals

Ajulliacosta aims to continue transforming rap while preserving its roots and cultural significance.