Warlet is creating the spaces in music she wanted to see

For Warlet, waiting for opportunities to appear has never been the plan.

If something is missing from the scene, she would rather create it herself.

The Brazilian-born musician and visual artist Gabriella Warlett has spent the past four years building her career in Canada. Working across Brazilian funk, reggaeton, hip-hop and R&B, she is carving out space for the sounds, styles and communities that matter to her.

Her latest project, DEAD7Y, is a seven-track EP scheduled for release Oct 23, 2026. Inspired by the seven deadly scents, the Halloween-themed project combines a spooky atmosphere with deeper metaphorical meanings. A week after Halloween, on Nov 6, Warlet plans to celebrate the release with an event that brings together live music, DJs, a costume contest and a space for people to express themselves.

But the project is about more than a new release. For Warlet, building a music career is tied to family, representation and the desire to create opportunities that might not otherwise exist.

“I feel like especially in smaller cities like Halifax, compared to a big city like Toronto or Montreal or Vancouver, you have to really try yourself, if that makes sense, with any resources you have,” Warlet says. “You have to kind of run for them and build it yourself.”

Motivations

Warlet grew up in Brazil in a large, close-knit family where music and community were part of everyday life. Her father is a vocal coach, and her mother is a performance coach, giving her an early introduction to the creative world.

Music was something she always wanted to pursue, but her ambitions extend beyond personal success.

One of the biggest motivations behind her career is her younger brother, whom she helped care for from the age of 10. Warlet described herself as being like a third parent to him. He is autistic, non-speaking and requires a high level of support. She grew up helping her family care for him while her parents worked.

That responsibility shaped her understanding of family and influenced what she hopes to achieve through music. Warlet wants to build a career that is both personally fulfilling and financially sustainable, allowing her to provide a better life for her brother.

“My goal with my music and my career is to be the biggest I could possibly be, to make this a source of income that is still something that makes me happy and fulfills me while actively trying to provide a better life for my brother.”

After moving to Canada in her early 20s, Warlet began building the professional network and community she needed to pursue those ambitions. The move also offered a path toward reaching an international audience, including incorporating the different languages she speaks into her music.

Her journey has required her to balance the realities of being an independent artist with the long-term goal of creating stability for the people she loves.

For Warlet, success is not simply about recognition. It is about building something that can make a difference in her family’s life while allowing her to continue doing what she loves.

Identity

Warlet’s approach to music and visual art reflects a commitment to authenticity. Rather than confining herself to one genre or creative discipline, she brings her interests together, moving between music, beatboxing, illustration and graphic design.

Her accomplishments include being named the 2021 female Latin American beatbox champion and placing among Brazil’s top eight beatboxers in 2021 and 2022.

She also operates Bottle of White Roses, a small art brand featuring her drawings, graphic design and illustrations on items such as stickers, T-shirts and tote bags.

For Warlet, these different creative outlets are not separate identities. They are all parts of the same person, and she wants her audience to see that.

“I think it’s really more authentic if I am true to myself and I just put everything together and show people the truth about who I am,” she says.

That philosophy extends to her personal style. Warlet says she regularly receives comments asking whether she is wearing a costume or whether it is Halloween already because of the way she dresses.

Instead of treating those remarks as a reason to change, she embraces the alternative aesthetic that feels natural to her. Halloween, in particular, allows her to turn that part of herself into a shared experience.

Her upcoming event is designed to make room for people who want to dress up, enjoy alternative culture and discover music without feeling that they have to fit a particular mould. It is also an opportunity for independent artists to connect with audiences outside the traditional performance setting.

With DEAD7Y, Warlet is bringing her musical and visual interests together in a seven-track EP built around the concept of the seven deadly sins.

The project is scheduled to drop Oct. 23, one week before Halloween.

Warlet plans to celebrate the project with a Nov 6 Halloween event, designed to be more than a conventional release show.

Rather than asking audiences simply to come and listen to her music, she wants to create an experience people can enjoy whether or not they arrive as fans. The event will feature live music, a DJ set with rap and other music, and a costume contest.

“If they want to become a fan, they will,” she says. “If they don’t, well, if they have fun at this event, that is for everybody.”

The approach reflects her belief that artists can introduce their work to new audiences by creating opportunities for people to gather around a shared interest.

Warlet has also designed the event’s promotional artwork herself, incorporating illustrations created through Bottle of White Roses. Merchandise will include designs that people can enjoy independently of her music, rather than products limited to her name or image.

One example is a T-shirt reading “I love vampires,” a playful nod to the alternative culture that inspires her.

“The event giveaway launched on Oct 15, ” with prizes including two tickets, a merchandise item of the winner’s choice and a tattoo donated by an artist whose work Warlet admires. The giveaway closes Oct 31, with the winner scheduled to be announced Nov 1. Additional prizes will be available through the costume contest.

By bringing music, art and community together, Warlet hopes to give people several reasons to attend and a chance to encounter her work in a more personal way.

“I always want to give back to the community because it welcomed me with open arms when I didn’t have to and when I needed the most,” she says.

Her understanding of community is also shaped by growing up in a large family. She sees connection as essential to how people support one another, find belonging and move forward.

That belief informs her approach to independent music. In a smaller city, where resources and opportunities may be harder to find, she encourages artists to work with what is available instead of waiting for the perfect venue, budget or industry connection.

“If there is an event that doesn’t exist, make it,” Warlet says. “Even if you make it at your home, even if you make it on the side of the street .”