Mawazine 2015: Flavia Coelho is a star in the making

Flavia Coelho in concert at the Mawazine festival in Morocco. Courtesy Youness Hamiddine
Powered by automated translation

If you haven’t heard of this Brazilian singer-songwriter then you may well soon.

The artist has already established herself in the world music circuit courtesy of the 2011 debut album, Boss Muffin, a breezy collection of sun kissed original Bossa Nova tunes.

However, her electrifying performance on June 1 in the Moroccan capital Rabat as part of the Mawazine Festival, proves she is ready to eclipse the Womad crowd.

Powered by her recently released second album, Mundo Meu, which has her exploring more urban sounds such hip-hop, reggae and Afro Cuban rhythms, Coelho delivered a dynamic performance with the 34 year-old delivering blistering flamenco guitar grooves, dexterous rapping (in Portuguese) and playing a mean spot on the drums.

You get the sense that if she released the right single at the right time, or make a guest appearance on a track with an A-list artist she will be well on her way.

The Mawazine Festival runs until Saturday

sasaeed@thenational.ae