In October 2017, just days before the music video for “Is That For Me” was released to the public, Anitta and her team traveled deep into the Amazon rainforest to shoot one of the most ambitious visuals of her career. The location was not a set, this was the real forest. Shot across various locations in the state of Amazonas, the production involved boats, small planes, and hours of hiking through dense terrain.
The decision to film in the rainforest was a calculated one. Anitta wanted to highlight one of Brazil’s most iconic natural landmarks in a different. She wasn’t interested in romanticizing the forest with soft filters and distant drone shots. She wanted to be in it. Up close. Sweaty, painted, half-naked, and fully present.
The creative direction was led by Giovanni Bianco, the Brazilian-Italian designer best known for his work with Madonna. Bianco had already worked on other Anitta projects like “Bang” and would go on to shape many of her most iconic looks. For “Is That For Me,” he envisioned something that was part goddess, part warrior, part rainforest nymph.
There’s also a massive feathered cape. There are sculptural accessories. And there’s Anitta, walking through all of it with confidence, reminding viewers that she doesn’t need a metropolis or a club backdrop to command attention. She does it just fine in the middle of the jungle.
The release date of “Is That For Me” — October 13, 2017 — wasn’t random. It was the second installment in Anitta’s CheckMate project, and she had just begun courting English-speaking audiences with the acoustic ballad “Will I See You.” That first English track had shown a softer, more intimate side. With “Is That For Me,” she pivoted hard into dance music and high-concept visuals.
While Anitta steals most of the spotlight in “Is That For Me,” Alesso’s contribution should not be overlooked. The Swedish DJ’s production is understated but purposeful. He doesn’t crowd the track with heavy drops or predictable builds. Instead, he leaves space for Anitta’s vocals to breathe. The beat has a tribal rhythm to it, but it’s softened by dreamy synths and a steady pulse.
In interviews, Alesso said he wanted to make something more spiritual than his usual festival bangers. Something that felt connected to the earth. That intention is clear, both in the production and in how he appears in the video. He’s mostly in the background — walking through trees, looking curious, occasionally glancing toward Anitta. He’s a guest in her world, and the video treats him as such.
On YouTube, the video passed 70 million views, which is impressive considering it was released in English and didn’t have the instant shareability of a reggaeton hit. It was covered by outlets like Billboard, Rolling Stone Brazil, and G1, all of whom praised its ambition. Fans from outside Brazil started to pay more attention, especially those in EDM and festival circles who followed Alesso
More importantly, the video aged well. Today, when fans revisit Anitta’s catalog, “Is That For Me” stands out as one of her most daring visuals. It’s not the most viral. Not the most streamed. But it’s hers — deeply rooted in her national identity, yet created for a global audience.
Watch now:
Leave a Reply