The new pages of Yunk Vino's diary

The project, so awaited by fans, arrives as a sequel to his other mixtape, My Diary, Vol. 1, from 2023. The continuity is not limited only to the name - his feelings are shared through the songs, with melodies that vary according to what Yunk Vino wants to convey to the audience.

Maturity is an important point for this stage - for now completed. Vino shows himself more complete, with different and varied sounds and a consistent body of work. As the surrounding influences his work, the artist continues to bring trap, true to his roots, but always innovating with each step.

We talked a little with Yunk Vino about his new project, his aspirations, and about this new moment in his life. Check it out below:

With M.A.D. 2 being the continuation of your mixtape that was released last year, do you feel that this stage concludes? Or is it something you want to continue pursuing?

So far, it concludes, but I think who knows, in some time, in a few years, there won't be more diary pages coming?!

You mention being more mature this time. How do you think your creative process has changed since the other projects?

Well, I think I'm more critical and more picky about my work. So, regarding my creative process, I don't think I'm taking it as freestyle anymore; I'm doing it with more care and time.

The new sounds are what grab attention in M.A.D. 2. and you prioritize trap and are known for that. How do you think you differ from other artists in the scene?

I think it's due to my boldness; I'm not afraid to step out of my comfort zone and take risks. I can't think of anything else; I think it's simple; maybe I am a bit more courageous or audacious.

Since they are deeper songs with intense themes, how does the choice of the beat, melody, and rhymes work - that is, the construction of the song in general?

It depends quite a bit; I have collaborated with several producers. With some, I have a specific sound idea and ask them for it; with others, I just go to the studio, and we do everything live; sometimes I receive a pack of beats and record myself at home alone… I practically never write; I just leave the beat I chose on repeat, experimenting with flows on top of it, and then replace it with words, so the subject depends a lot on the vibe of the moment when I’m recording.

How is it going to be from now on regarding the new show? How do you plan to transfer the mixtape to the stage - in terms of repertoire, performance?

I’m excited to include the new songs and see how the crowd responds to them live. I try to create an atmosphere at my show, and my gig helps a lot with that through effects, guitar, synthesizer, etc.… Only those who have been know; the experience of hearing the songs live is very different from hearing them through headphones, and we’re going to put together something special for the new songs. Of course, the show won't be just about M.A.D. 2; my repertoire is quite large, and many songs are important to me and to the audience that cannot be left out. I think on stage I feel like the 15-year-old Vino who was into rock and roll.

From the names of the songs, the visualizers to the cover, how is the concept of the mixtape tied together? And, being behind the creative process, how do you think M.A.D. 2 places itself in a different place than other projects in the scene currently?

(Caio Reis, creative director) Vino's idea for the 'M.A.D' series is to treat the songs as if they were the pages of his diary. As if for him, the act of writing is entering the studio, turning off the lights, and seeing where his creativity can lead. Sometimes dealing with more mundane and fun topics, sometimes more serious and dense, just like life is. So I suggested that we appropriate this theme also in the visual part and make something more documentary and sensitive, with a ‘work in progress’ feel, filming and photographing all the materials on film and continuing with the representation of the studio, the creative process, the ‘camps’ he usually does to produce, etc. I think it comes from a place of great honesty and courage, in addition to truly creating an atmosphere. Honesty to talk about more intimate things and the courage to experiment and challenge oneself. We joke that he is making ‘message trap,’ that behind all the vibe and the ‘mumble,’ since the first volume, he has been refining his writing and also talking about more serious things, with more technique.

Photos: Caio Reis, Bruno Gordilho, and Fernando Mendes