Luigi Masi
Only 18 years old, London resident Luigi not only has the best pop star name in years but also has one of the most exotic backgrounds you’re likely to come across, being born in Sao Paulo, Brazil to his half-Italian/half-Brazilian father and half-Danish/half-Swedish mother.
Armed With Love, Luigi’s debut single, is a remarkably smart piece of pop perfection and comes ready-made for the dancefloor. It will be released on 25th May through newly formed indie label, Bunx Records.
Armed With Love is a sign of things to come with Luigi’s forthcoming album ‘Save His Shoes’ due for release in May. “I always wanted my first album to be really upbeat - I didn’t want to drag it down with slow boring stuff or anything too personal,” Luigi reflects.
“There’s maybe one song you could call midtempo - but even that you can dance to! There was a pop revival last year with people like the Saturdays and Alphabeat, but this year’s going to be even better. Not just because it’s got me, because pop’s coming back as a whole. So out with all those boring indie bands and in with pop!”
Despite his tender years, Luigi has already grabbed his chances with both hands and has supported both Girls Aloud and Sugababes on tour, using these experiences to hone his pop skills to perfection. “I went from nothing to theatres to arenas all in a few weeks really. It was mad,” Luigi laughs, recalling the thrill of performing in front 20,000 people at the O2.
“I think I did okay though. Girls Aloud sat in on a few of my soundchecks and cheered me on from the side of the stage, which was lovely, and Nadine came up to me after and said she really liked my stuff.”
Not surprisingly Luigi’s background has given him a taste for the international, and his debut album has been recorded in New York, LA, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London and boasts collaborations with platinum hitmakers Jim Beanz (Nelly Furtado, Britney Spears), Quiz & Larossi (The Saturdays, Pussycat Dolls) and Jonas Jeberg & Cutfather (Kylie, Jordin Sparks).