Between freedom and interdiction

a sexuality’s multimodal and discursive analysis in Anitta’s Funk Rave

Abstract

In the current Brazilian pop music scene, Anitta stands out not only for her musical talent but also for her performances that spark debates about sexuality. The music video Funk Rave is a notable example of these discussions, illustrating how the artist’s sexual expression becomes a battleground for discursive conflicts. This study examines the visual representations and discourses surrounding sexuality in Funk Rave using video clips and X (Twitter) comments. The choice of this subject is justified by its ability to encapsulate contemporary debates about sexuality and its international cultural impact. The main objective is to understand how sexuality is represented in the video and how these representations are received and discussed on social media. The methodology combines discursive and multimodal analysis, grounded in Foucault's theories (1988; 1996) and Kress and van Leeuwen's (2006) visual design grammar. The multimodal analysis focuses on how sexuality is represented in the images, while the discursive analysis investigates how comments reflect and reinforce power dynamics. Results highlight the complexity of sexuality in media and the resistance to patriarchal norms and racial stereotypes. It is concluded that Anitta’s performance prompts significant debates about interdiction and sexual freedom.