Anitta Makes History as First Brazilian to Perform on Saturday Night Live
Anitta became the first Brazilian artist to perform on Saturday Night Live, debuting new songs from her upcoming album "EQUILIBRIVM" featuring various Brazilian collaborations.
- • Anitta is the first Brazilian musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
- • She performed her new single "Choka Choka" with Shakira and an unreleased track "Várias Quejas."
- • Her album "EQUILIBRIVM" will be released starting April 16, blending funk, samba, reggae, and spirituality.
- • The album features collaborations with prominent Brazilian artists such as Liniker, Marina Sena, and Luedji Luna.
Key details
Brazilian superstar Anitta has made history as the first Brazilian musical guest on the iconic American television show Saturday Night Live (SNL). Her groundbreaking performance aired on April 11, 2026, featuring her debut of new music that highlights her artistic evolution and upcoming album.
Anitta opened her set with the recently released single "Choka Choka," a collaboration with Colombian singer Shakira, captivating the audience with a vibrant blend of Latin influences. She then surprised viewers by performing an unreleased song titled "Várias Quejas," a Spanish adaptation of "Várias Queixas" by the Brazilian group Gilsons, known for their connection to the lineage of Gilberto Gil. These performances underscore Anitta's commitment to showcasing Brazilian music with global appeal.
The songs performed are part of Anitta's forthcoming album "EQUILIBRIVM," which is set to be released in stages, with the first part arriving on April 16, 2026. This upcoming album represents a fusion of musical genres such as funk, samba, and reggae, while delving into themes of spirituality, marking a fresh creative direction for the artist. "EQUILIBRIVM" will feature collaborations with notable Brazilian musicians, including Liniker, Marina Sena, Luedji Luna, Os Garotin, Ebony, and Rincon Sapiência, promising her most diverse work to date.
Anitta's appearance on SNL was not only a milestone for her career but also a significant moment for Brazilian music on an international platform. The show was hosted by actor Colman Domingo and broadcast in Brazil via Universal+ at 12:30 AM on Sunday, April 12.
This historic event highlights Anitta's rising influence and the increasing global reach of Brazilian artists. As she continues to blend cultural sounds with contemporary music trends, Anitta reaffirms her status as a groundbreaking artist on the international stage.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Performance date
Sources report different dates for Anitta's performance on SNL
metropoles.com
"Anitta performed on April 11."
otempo.com.br
"The episode aired on October 12."
Why this matters: One source states the performance was on April 11, while the other claims it aired on October 12. This discrepancy affects the timeline of events surrounding her historic performance.