A wave of confused murmurs washed over the crowd. Cell phone flashlights began to pop up like tiny stars in the dark room.
They had just finished recording their highly anticipated collaboration, "Quando Apaga A Luz" (When the Lights Go Out). The track was a perfect fusion of Gustavo’s acoustic guitar melodies and Don Juan’s heavy, rhythmic basslines.
Gustavo began to sing the chorus of "Quando Apaga A Luz," his voice raw and echoing in the dark room without the aid of massive speakers. “Quando apaga a luz, o clima conduz…”
"The unplugged version? Yeah, I remember," Don Juan said, his eyes gleaming in the glow of a nearby phone screen.
The producer hit play. The song started with Gustavo’s signature acoustic guitar, his smooth voice filling the room with a story of longing and hidden romance. The crowd swayed instantly. Then, the beat dropped. Don Juan’s signature funk rhythm kicked in, and he stepped up to the mic, delivering a fast-paced, magnetic verse that perfectly countered Gustavo's melody.
When the time came to debut the song, Gustavo and Don Juan took their places on a small stage at the center of the room.