From the electric streets of São Paulo, Child of SP (LEO) is sparking a global buzz with his latest drop, ‘Issues’. This track is a soul-stirring blend of hip-hop and soul, peeling back layers of emotional complexities inherent in his life.

‘Issues’ hits hard with its vulnerable vocals and smooth R&B harmonies, all laid over a bed of mellow, spaced-out drums. The result is intoxicatingly ethereal, mirroring the lyrical themes of distance and introspection that resonate with Child of SP’s own move from Brazil to Europe. The track chronicles the end of a relationship, but it’s imbued with a spirit of resilience and mutual growth, summed up poignantly in the line: “We have issues, but we can work it out.”

The single is brought to life with a striking music video directed by Peter Moutinho. The filmic journey oscillates between sharp black-and-white and vivid color, tracing the emotional distances between Child of SP and his partner as they move through the city, layering an emotional depth to the song’s narrative. In this interview, we managed to speak with Child of SP about the inspiration behind ‘Issues’, explored his creative journey, and much more.

photo by Lua Noví

Your sound is truly distinctive, blending elements of hip-hop and soul in a way that really resonates. Can you share how the city’s vibe and your experiences there have helped mold the way you integrate these different musical styles into your work?

It’s all about reference. I was fortunate enough to grow up listening to alot of things while growing up in Florida in the Golden Era of Hip Hop and even in São Paulo. From Chet Baker to Phil Collins, Akon to Il Divo. And here in Europe, it’s cultural to be more experimental with music, and i have no doubt that’s how songs like “Issues” came to life. I Guess i have the best of both worlds.

Your new single ‘Issues’ has a retrospective angle, focusing on past relationships. How does revisiting these memories help shape the music and the emotional depth of your songs?

It’s all about perspective. Some relationships of mine have ended very badly and people get hurt. But i choose to just wait it out a little bit and write about the good things. It’s not cool to drag a woman down in a song just cuz your heart got broken like some artists do these days. Never has been. So yeah, i just like to bring out the best of what we went through, and eternalize that in the soundtrack of my life. But that’s just me, you know?

In ‘Issues,’ there’s a theme of working together to overcome challenges. How has collaboration, both personally and professionally, played a role in your music career?

A huge role. The concept of a collective has always been present in my life since an early age. I think hip-hop also brings that out more in an artist. Like it’s not “me” or “you”. It’s “us”. “Our movement”, “our city”, “our issues”. 

The ethereal and spaced-out drum sounds in ‘Issues’ really create a unique auditory experience. What inspired these specific production choices, and how do you feel they contribute to the emotional impact of the song?

 I wish i had a crazy story of what inspired it but it was really just another session with Soundskillz, and we were just experimenting… and it’s really important to let the music make itself, you just have to listen and follow.

The music video for ‘Issues’ intriguingly mixes black and white scenes with bursts of color, almost like a neon noir effect. What was your intention behind these striking visual choices?

Well, first off it’s very pleasing to the eyes. But me and Peter Moutinho (video director) wanted to use and white to symbolize that thing in a relationship and in life are sometimes exactly that. Black & white. Meaning, we don’t know, or we don’t have it figured out…and then color appears to enlighten. To reveal. In this case, the revelation of the end of a cycle with someone i loved.

photo by Lua Noví

As a Brazilian artist who sings exclusively in English, how do you navigate maintaining your cultural identity while reaching a global audience?  

Well, i’m originally from São Paulo, and in hip hop the city your from is what you represent. And it would be ignorant of me to act like every place in the country is similar, it’s not. The city of São Paulo is my eternal connection to my heritage and culture. The jungle of stone is what we call it. 12 Million people, the biggest city in all of the Americas. Probably the most important phase of my come up in my music career. Gave me enourmous opportunities to learn, and become me. Become Child of SP.

Having opened for renowned artists like Tyga and Akon, what have you learned from these experiences, and how have they influenced your approach to music? 

Well, Akon’s album “Konvicted” was the first album i ever bought. So opening up for him in my own city in fromt of 20 thousand people was definately a full circle moment. I think the biggest teaching that I took from those experiences of performing live for 10 to thousands of people was that, things will go wrong, so how are you going to behave around that and overcome? Probably the biggest teaching any performer can learn.

With ‘Issues’ being a reflective single, are there themes or stories from your life that you’re eager to explore in your upcoming projects?

Absolutely. These stories about heartbreak are just one layer of Child of SP. And There’s many sides to story. And I have no fear and exposing myself. I’m ready to tell all, soon.

What advice would you give to young artists in Brazil, or elsewhere, who aspire to break into the international music scene while staying true to their roots?

Be proud of where your from. Not nationalism, pride. Don’t look at yourself as inferior by comparing yourself to other markets and artist from the U.S, UK, France, etc. know what it is to be where we’re from. As long as you know that, it will show. And people will accept, because we are loved and respected by the world, just the way we are. I hope others come, from diferent states and regions. But now, it’s SP’s time.

As you continue to evolve as an artist, what are you most excited about for the future of your music career?

Meeting more of the fans, as i’ve been doing. Hitting the road. And most importantly, becoming the best artist i can possibly be for myself and my supporters. Plus, no one from my city has ever done it at i high level like this. I’m the first privileged artist to walk this path that’s been paved by the ones that came before me. I’m gonna push it farther than it’s ever been pushed before.

*This interview was made possible by Quite Great PR