The Sertanejo duos from the interior of São Paulo have a large national reach, transmitting themes such as feelings, Caipira culture, and rural life. The duo Edson & Hudson consolidated their trajectory with over one million records sold in their 40 years of career.
The friendship between the artists transcended mutual appreciation for Sertanejo music. Edson and Hudson have maintained a friendship with Jotta Hernani for approximately four years. According to Edson, the initial meeting occurred due to the restoration of a pickup truck.
Edson related to Jotta that he is a talented professional both in vehicle recovery, an area where Edson knows no one with similar work, and as a musical artist. Jotta owned a red pickup truck that sparked Edson's desire.
Subsequently, the pickup truck was sold to Edson and gained prominence on the AutoEsporte program on TV Globo. Due to its distinct characteristics, the singer created a profile for the vehicle on social media.
Edson revealed that Jotta offered him the pickup truck in exchange for recording a song. This event realized a dream for both and gave rise to a strong friendship. With Jotta's return with his brother Ricardo, the duo decided to record the song 'Placa Preta'.
Meaning of the song 'Placa Preta'
In conversation with the report, Edson clarified that the song's title uses a metaphor between collector or historically interesting vehicles, identified by the black plate, and older men. He stated that, along with Hudson, the duo is established in the national market. For Edson, the song carries great personal meaning because he has two passions: horses and cars. The black plate car symbolizes something more mature, which, in analogy to a relationship, represents the desire to take responsibility and have someone.
The singer added that the track is intended for all audiences. Although it has a predominantly heterosexual audience, he emphasizes that 'Placa Preta' is about finding a responsible and mature person, regardless of the couple's sexual orientation, whether heterosexual or homosexual. The lyrics address the search for someone reliable who takes care of daily needs, comparing this to a high-value car that is no longer manufactured.
The duo's return with his brother
Jotta Hernani, native of Itapetininga, informed g1 that the song is part of a return that took a long time to happen. He and his brother, Ricardo, started a Sertanejo duo in 2000, but the project did not thrive due to lack of investment. Jotta mentioned that after recording three albums, the absence of managers and a solid investor led him to pursue a solo career.
Currently 50 years old, Jotta declared that although he never abandoned music, working as a vehicle restorer emerged as an alternative to a singing career. He explained that before the pandemic, he depended exclusively on music, performing in bars. Later, he found other options and, by working with automotive sound, began dedicating himself to painting.
The song as a form of thanks
It was during this period that Jotta met Edson, who showed interest in the truck restored by him. As a form of thanks, the duo recorded the song 'Surtei', when Jotta was still in a solo career. Jotta detailed that he restored an exclusive pickup truck and sold it to Edson about three years ago. At the time of the sale, he asked for help so that Edson would record a song with him, which Edson accepted, understanding the situation of lack of opportunities. This collaboration significantly strengthened the friendship between them.
Recently, Jotta and Ricardo decided to resume the duo due to the scarcity of labor in their secondary job. He stated that during the creative process of the new song, he chose to unite his two professional activities to ensure success. After listening to several compositions without satisfaction, Jotta, who is also a composer, combined his profession with the artistic part, resulting in 'Placa Preta'. Edson approved the song, believing in its potential for national projection, and thus it was recorded.
The man from Itapetininga described the song as having an upbeat sound, created to lift spirits and value older men. He added that the song's identity reflects the concept of 'Black Plate of Brazil,' as they like to sing the hits of their era, talking about the most mature and valued man, analogous to a classic car.
For Edson, what started as a commercial opportunity evolved into a bond of affection and friendship between the sibling duos. He concluded that there is a 'very beautiful bond of friendship, affection, and respect,' especially for the talent that Jotta and Ricardo possess, not only as singers but also as excellent classic car restorers.