Pitty

Pitty's emergence as a leading figure among Brazil's rock acts followed the 2003 arrival of her debut solo album Admirável Chip Novo. Porto Seguro, the lively beach destination in southern Bahia renowned for its axé and reggae environments, energetic nightlife, and youthful energy, served as her childhood setting. Rock nevertheless drew her interest far more strongly than the dominant local sounds. Songs by Brazil's most legendary rock poet, Raul Seixas, reached her first through her father, who owned a bar and played them regularly. Faith No More, Nirvana, and Metallica entered her listening during adolescence. Born Priscila Leone, she received the nickname Pitty from schoolmates because of her short stature. While still a teenager she co-founded the hardcore band Inkoma in Salvador, where the group stood out against the intense axé wave that dominated the '90s. Inkoma issued its first official CD in 2000 with Pitty handling lead vocals. The band dissolved shortly after achieving modest success, prompting Pitty to begin writing original material. She also took up guitar, enrolled in music studies at the federal university of Salvador, UFBA, and met producer Rafael Ramos. Ramos facilitated the 2003 release of her first solo album, Admirável Video Novo, which blended hardcore, punk, and metal with the melodic accessibility of contemporary hit-list pop. Salvador's finest musicians contributed to the Rio de Janeiro sessions, while guest spots from Moska, Liminha, and Jacques Morelenbaum brought additional distinction. The record quickly drew nationwide notice and achieved strong commercial results. Anacrônico, her 2005 follow-up, continued in a comparable vein, drawing inspiration from Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana among others, and reinforced her standing as one of Brazil's most popular rock artists. The live DVD Des Concerto: Ao Vivo appeared two years afterward. Chiaroscuro, her next studio album, arrived in 2009 and included the single "Me Adora." The concert DVD Trupe Delirante No Circo Voador came out in 2011.