Rhythm And Groove

Tell us more about what you do for work and how you got into it.
I do marketing for a multinational Human Resource (HR) firm—nothing too fancy! I’ve always been a creative at heart, so marketing seemed like the natural corporate fit for me.

What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m in a band called QARA ROSA. We’re a Samba percussion group that seeks to fuse traditional Brazilian and African rhythms with contemporary showmanship and performance elements. It’s a pretty niche craft, so part of the work we do consists of bringing it to the masses through workshops, street gigs, and fusion pieces. We’re a very young band—you can find us on Instagram, and on Spotify very soon with some original compositions designed for a more mainstream audience.

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to? Any favourite bands or artists?
I like rap and hip hop music, and my favourite artist is Kendrick Lamar. He has too many iconic hits to count, but if I had to choose one it’ll be DUCKWORTH. It tells the story of his father’s humble beginnings, and ends a beautiful album that also serves as a sardonic start when the album is played backwards.

Do you have any self-care habits or routines?
I’m no fitness or skincare guru, but getting up and moving in any form, every day, helps my physical and mental health in many ways. Samba gets pretty intense when we’re performing, so that’s cardio sorted. I occasionally do football on the side as well. Oh yes, and drinking lots of water!

How would you define your style?
I usually switch between business casual with an edge at work to a more relaxed street vibe for recreation. Whenever possible, I try to blend the two. No one’s going to notice a t-shirt stuck below a blazer, and it’s a little friendlier compared to a button-down when you’re under the unforgiving Singapore weather!

What are three things that you must have in your bag?
Water, wet tissues, and a portable charger.

What’s one movie you’ll never get tired of rewatching?
Netflix has made rewatching movies less of a problem, but I do like Home Alone for the nostalgia!