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How CERES and NOVAH Turned “Papi” Into One of Tomorrowland’s Most Explosive Moments [Interview]
The Brazilian singer, DJ and producer talks about “Papi”, her explosive moment at Tomorrowland Brazil, and the rise of women in hard techno
Brazilian artist CERES continues to rise as one of the most streamed and influential names in the new generation of electronic music. With a powerful mix of hard techno energy, sensual vocals and high-impact performances, she is shaping a unique path as a singer, DJ and producer. After joining NOVAH on the Freedom Stage at Tomorrowland Brazil, the explosive performance of their track “Papi” became one of the most talked-about moments of the festival.
Recognized worldwide for hits such as “LET’S GET FKD UP,” “Black Widow,” and “U&ME,” CERES also leads the label Lemon Drops, supporting emerging talent and pushing innovation across the global electronic music scene. In this exclusive DJane Mag interview, she shares her journey, the power of collaboration, and the rise of women in hard techno.
You were invited by NOVAH to join her on the Freedom Stage during her set at Tomorrowland Brazil, and the crowd went wild when you both danced to “Papi”. How did it feel to experience that powerful and spontaneous moment?
It was completely spontaneous. I went to Tomorrowland Brasil as a guest of Tomorrowland Publishing — Elena Mihai, who is Publishing A&R manager and a dear friend, invited me. She was also the person who connected me and Novah months ago for the collab. When we finally met in person at the festival, she invited me on stage in the moment, and it was such a warm, feminine, supportive energy. I was proud to stand by her in such an important moment of her career — it felt like a sisterhood moment in front of thousands of people.
How did your collaboration with NOVAH for “Papi” come about?
Elena connected us, and a little later Novah sent me the first ideas for the track. She asked me to work around the phrase “dale duro papi”, so I recorded that hook for her and also wrote an extra verse to bring that tropical, sensual vibe that fits both our identities so well.
The track carries a fierce hard techno energy with your Spanish vocal adding attitude and sensuality. What was the main message you wanted to communicate through this track?
The message is basically: give me everything. Give me energy, movement, confidence — and give the crowd the freedom to release all their emotions on the dancefloor. It’s a call to the ravers: come with us, feel powerful, and don’t hold back.
Do you feel that this moment symbolized a new chapter of female strength and unity within the global techno scene?
I do feel like it was one more step forward. When women get together on stage with confidence and joy, it changes the narrative — it shows possibility. I love seeing female DJs supporting each other instead of competing. That kind of energy is genuinely powerful.
“Papi” was released through Tomorrowland Music, one of the world’s most prestigious labels. How did it feel to have your track signed by the official label of one of the biggest festivals on the planet?
I was deeply honored. I hope one day I can be on the Tomorrowland stage — not only as a singer, but as a DJ. I’m working hard through my Four Seasons DJ sets and my collabs, and seeing Tomorrowland Music acknowledge that journey was very emotional for me. Their support helped the track chart on Top 50 Viral Germany and Belgium, which shows the strength of the label. I’m grateful and definitely hoping to work with them again.
What does this partnership mean to you in terms of international recognition and artistic validation?
For me, it’s another strong step toward international recognition — especially in the hard techno world. The combination of the song, the collab, and the label gave me visibility with artists I admire. Seeing Nico Moreno and I Hate Models dancing and watching me on stage was surreal. I don’t know if I’ve earned their respect just yet — but it made me really proud.
Tomorrowland Music has been embracing harder and underground sounds lately. Do you believe this move helps open space for new genres and female artists within the scene?
Definitely. The more genres expand, the more doors open — and women finally have space to occupy these doors. We’re living in a moment where there’s room for experimentation, new sounds, and new faces. It’s a great moment to be a woman in electronic music.
You are a singer, DJ, and producer — a rare and powerful combination. How do you balance these three creative roles when making music?
By keeping my goal very clear: I am a DJ first — and I sing on top of my own world. I create the music, I perform it live, and I bring it to my Four Seasons YouTube sets every month. The balance comes from not choosing between roles — but using each one to amplify the other.
Your tracks like “Let’s Get Fkd Up”, “Black Widow”, and “U&ME” carry strong messages of empowerment and freedom. Do these themes come from personal experiences?
Yes — for “Let’s Get Fkd Up” and “U&ME”, I wrote those alone, so they are snapshots of who I was emotionally at that moment. “Let’s Get Fkd Up” came from a happy, euphoric season of my life. “U&ME” is softer and more intimate. Black Widow is an interpolation — I didn’t write the lyrics, but performing it still allowed me to embody the confidence that song carries.
When starting a new track, what usually comes first — the concept, the lyrics, or the beat?
Usually the melody. Then the words follow, and then production joins the story. But I also love starting from a beat sometimes and freestyling to find what the song wants to become.
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Today you’re ranked as Brazil’s #7 most-listened DJ, with over 4.4 million monthly listeners and 460 million total streams. What moves you the most when you see your music reaching audiences worldwide?
The little moments — someone filming my song playing in the gym, or in a car with friends in another country. Knowing I’m adding energy to someone’s day is the fuel that keeps me going.
You’ve worked with artists like Alok, Yellow Claw, Maddix, KAAZE, Tribbs, and Öwnboss. Which collaboration has meant the most to you so far and why?
“Let’s Get Fkd Up” with Alok, Tribbs and Mondello — without question. Five platinum certifications, four gold… it changed my life forever.
International audiences are connecting strongly with your sound. What do you think makes the Brazilian and Latin identity stand out within techno and EDM?
Because even if you live in the snow — you sometimes want to feel like you’re inside the sun. The tropical feeling is emotional sunshine. It warms people from the inside out, even if they don’t understand the lyrics. That’s powerful.
Your project “Four Seasons” is a conceptual journey inspired by the Roman goddess CERES and the cycles of nature. How did the idea of blending mythology with electronic music come to life?
I discovered the name CERES while searching for my artist identity and fell in love with its mythology — a figure tied to cycles, love, and renewal. It clicked with how I create: each season has a distinct energy, and my monthly sets capture those shifts. The concept gives me a frame to evolve continuously and present music in chapters that mirror real emotional seasons.
Each season represents different emotions and energy. Which one best reflects your current artistic moment?
Spring — I’m blooming. It’s the beginning of a bigger phase, and I can feel the growth happening now.
The name CERES relates to rebirth, fertility, and transformation. Do these ideas also influence your artistic and personal journey?
Absolutely. I believe in constant reinvention — releasing, learning, and moving forward. I try not to cling to one version of myself or my sound. Every song is a step that frees me for the next one, whether it’s UK garage, hard techno, or something in between.
Together with KVSH, you co-founded Lemon Drops, a label that’s been discovering new talents in Brazil and abroad. What is the label’s main mission?
Our mission is to revitalize the Brazilian electronic scene with releases that leave a mark, distribute them excellently across platforms, and give real visibility to our artists — especially on TikTok, which we see as today’s biggest gateway. We aim to become Brazil’s leading electronic label and stand among the world’s best, while hosting writing camps and building strong networks for our roster.
How do you balance your dual role as an artist and entrepreneur in today’s electronic scene?
With a great team and clear priorities. As an artist, I can bring collaborators to the label and personally pitch our releases with care — like they’re my own. As an entrepreneur, I trust our structure to handle operations so I can focus on creating, performing, and making strategic decisions.
Lemon Drops emphasizes diversity, sustainability and innovation. How do these values connect to your vision for the future of electronic music?
For me, music is not just sound — it’s legacy. Diversity means giving space to artists who don’t fit the “standard formula” but have something unique to offer. Sustainability is about long-term careers, not viral moments that disappear in a week. And innovation is what keeps the scene alive — testing formats, strategies, distribution, new audiences. I want Lemon Drops to be a reference for nurturing artists, not just releasing songs. The future of electronic music is inclusive, global, experimental — and we want to help build that bridge.
After the success of “Papi” and your powerful appearance at Tomorrowland Brazil, what’s next for CERES? Can we expect new collaborations in the hard techno scene or a more conceptual solo project?
More hard techno collabs and more solo releases — in parallel with stronger DJ sets and bigger stages. This is just the beginning. But I can mention a few names who will be releasing with me soon: Creeds, Marnik, Sevek, YAMAS, MOTi, Neptunica, Negitiv, Cat Dealers, and many more!
If you could choose one dream artist to collaborate with, who would it be and why?
David Guetta. I grew up listening to him with my mom, and his music carries a happiness that’s hard to explain. He’s a global force who keeps evolving. I’d love to merge my edge with his sense of anthem — I believe we could create something powerful, and I’m confident it will happen one day.
Finally, what message would you like to leave for women who dream of building a career in electronic music and reaching the global stage?
The seeds you plant today will become the ground you stand on tomorrow. So plant boldly, water them with work, and don’t wait for permission — just begin.
With a growing global audience, powerful artistic identity, and an increasingly strong presence in hard techno, CERES continues to push boundaries as a Brazilian female DJ, singer and producer. From Tomorrowland Music to international charts, her path shows that innovation, identity, and confidence can transform a career — and inspire a new generation of women in electronic music.
CERES continues rising as one of Brazil’s most influential new electronic artists — shaping the future of hard techno with identity, fearlessness and power.
Connect with CERES:
Instagram: https://www.
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.
Spotify: https://bit.ly/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.
SoundCloud: https://
Facebook: https://www.