São Paulo (song)

This article is about the Weeknd song. For other songs, see Sao Paulo.

"São Paulo" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd and Brazilian singer Anitta. It was released on November 1, 2024, through XO and Republic Records as the second single from the former's sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025). The Weeknd produced the song along with Mike Dean, and Sean Solymar co-produced it.

"São Paulo"
Single by the Weeknd and Anitta
from the album Hurry Up Tomorrow
Language	Portuguese English
Released	November 1, 2024 (2024-11-01)
Studio	Light Sonic Division (Woodland Hills)[1]
Genre	Brazilian funk[2]
Length	5:02 (album version) 3:30 (video/radio edit)
Label	XO Republic
Composer(s)	Michael Dean Sean Solymar Washington Vaz Agustinho dos Santos André Viegas Everton de Araujo Flavio de Almeida Marcelo Nei Leal
Lyricist(s)	Abel Tesfaye Larissa Machado Tatiana Lourenço
Producer(s)	The Weeknd Mike Dean Sean Solymar (co.)
The Weeknd singles chronology
"Timeless" (2024) "São Paulo" (2024) "Cry for Me" (2025)
Anitta singles chronology
"Malvado Favorito" (2024) "São Paulo" (2024) "Romeo" (2025)
Music video
"São Paulo" on YouTube

Background and promotion

To promote his upcoming album and celebrate his final project under the moniker the Weeknd, the artist held a one-off concert in São Paulo called "one-night-only" on September 7, 2024.^[3] The occasion also marked the first time the Weeknd and Anitta performed their collaboration "São Paulo".^[4] The appearance was a surprise performance as Anitta emerged on stage initially disguised as one of the Weeknd's dancers.^[5]

On October 27, Anitta shared a post depicting an ultrasound image of a baby with sharp teeth and a forked tail asking if the creature is beautiful, to which the Weeknd responded how beautiful it looks.^[6] The picture was labelled with the date October 30, 2024, which turned out to be the release date.^[7] Anitta had previously posted a picture of herself with a baby belly and a white face mask two days prior.^[8] The song was initially released as the third single from the Weeknd's upcoming album Hurry Up Tomorrow.^[9] However, the album's intended first single "Dancing in the Flames" was later removed from the track listing and "São Paulo" was reworked as the project's second single.^[10]

Music video

The music video for "São Paulo" coincided with the release of the song on October 30, 2024.^[11] Directed by Freeka Tet, the music video features a pregnant Anitta wearing a "Rejuvenique" massage mask with a mouth on her stomach, singing the Weeknd's lines.^[12] Sonja Knežević of Vogue Adria considered the video's horror motives appropriate for the Halloween atmosphere.^[13]

Commercial performance

Following its release, "São Paulo" broke the record for the biggest debut for a Brazilian funk song in Spotify history, with 4.8 million streams,^[14] a record that was previously held by Anitta's single "Vai Malandra" (2.1 million streams).^[15]

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "São Paulo" Chart (2024–2025) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[16] 32 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[17] 13 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[18] 40 Brazil (Brasil Hot 100)[19] 5 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 22 Croatia (Billboard)[21] 21 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[22] 24 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] 48 France (SNEP)[24] 18 Germany (GfK)[25] 16 Global 200 (Billboard)[26] 15 Greece International (IFPI)[27] 1 Hungary (Single Top 40)[28] 25 Iceland (Tónlistinn)[29] 11 India International (IMI)[30] 6 Ireland (IRMA)[31] 15 Italy (FIMI)[32] 30 Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[33] 11 Latvia (LaIPA)[34] 3 Latvia Airplay (TopHit)[35] 2 Lithuania (AGATA)[36] 3 Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[37] 25 Luxembourg (Billboard)[38] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[39] 38 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[40] 2 Norway (VG-lista)[41] 34 Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[42] 11 Portugal (AFP)[43] 1 Romania (Billboard)[44] 11 Singapore (RIAS)[45] 30 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[46] 6 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[47] 78 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[48] 42 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[49] 2 UK Singles (OCC)[50] 21 US Billboard Hot 100[51] 43 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[52] 2 US Hot Dance/Pop Songs (Billboard)[53] 2 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[54] 2

Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for "São Paulo" Chart (2024) Peak position Latvia Airplay (TopHit)[55] 12 Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[56] 38

Certifications

Certifications for "São Paulo"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Portugal (AFP)[57]	Gold	5,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[58]	Platinum	2,000,000†
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Hurry Up Tomorrow Vinyl Sequence and Credits". The Weeknd. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
2. "The Weeknd: Anitta aparece de surpresa e leva funk a show em São Paulo". Terra Brasil. September 7, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
3. Geraghty, Hollie (September 8, 2024). "The Weeknd explains how he pulled off Anitta collaboration for São Paulo concert". NME. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
4. Jones, Abby (September 8, 2024). "Watch The Weeknd Debut New Songs With Playboi Carti & Anitta In São Paulo". Stereogum. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
5. Kelly, Tyler Damara (September 9, 2024). "Anitta and Playboy Carti join The Weeknd at one-off São Paulo show". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
6. Kaufman, Gil (October 28, 2024). "The Weeknd and Anitta Appear to Tease Upcoming Collaboration With Devilish Ultrasound Pic: 'Isn't He Beautiful?'". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
7. Zavala, Cristina (October 28, 2024). "La ecografía de Anitta tras mostrar su barriga de embarazada, nos anuncia algo grande, ¿qué se trae con The Weeknd?". Los 40 (in Spanish). Retrieved October 29, 2024.
8. Andrews, Elias (October 26, 2024). "The Weeknd Teases Anitta Collab "São Paulo" With Cryptic Mask Post". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
9. Mamo, Heran (October 31, 2024). "The Weeknd & Anitta Deliver 'São Paulo' Song & Video: Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
10. Lynch, Jessica (January 31, 2025). "Lana Del Rey Is a Hidden Feature on The Weeknd's 'Hurry Up Tomorrow'". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
11. Strauss, Matthew (October 31, 2024). "The Weeknd and Anitta Release Video for New Song "São Paulo"". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
12. Kreps, Daniel (October 31, 2024). "The Weeknd and Anitta Mark Halloween With Body Horror-Inspired 'São Paulo' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
13. Knežević, Sonja (October 31, 2024). "The Weeknd i Anitta izbacili su jeziv muzički video" [The Weeknd and Anitta released a creepy music video]. Vogue Adria (in Serbian). Retrieved November 3, 2024.
14. "Biggest Streaming Debuts by Female Brazilian Funk Songs on Spotify Global". @TheePopCore. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
15. "Com 'Envolver', Anitta faz história e chega ao Top 1 do Spotify Global". Estadão (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 25, 2022.
16. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
17. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
18. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
19. "The Weeknd Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
20. "The Weeknd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
21. "The Weeknd Chart History (Croatia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
22. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 6. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
23. "The Weeknd, Anitta: São Paulo" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
24. "Top Singles (Week 6, 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
25. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
26. "The Weeknd Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
27. "IFPI Charts". ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
28. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
29. "Tónlistinn – Lög: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 6. Birt 8. febrúar 2025 – Næst uppfært 15. febrúar 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
30. "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 10th February 2025 | Week 6 of 52". IMIcharts. Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
31. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
32. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo". Top Digital Download. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
33. "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of November 20, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 20, 2024.
34. "Straumēšanas Top 2024 – 45. nedēļa" [Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 45] (in Latvian). LaIPA. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
35. "Top Radio Hits Latvia Weekly Chart: Jan 9, 2025". TopHit. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
36. "2024 45-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
37. "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Nov 14, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
38. "The Weeknd Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
39. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
40. "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
41. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo". VG-lista. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
42. "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 31.01.2025–06.02.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
43. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
44. "The Weeknd Chart History (Romania Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
45. "The Official Singapore Charts Week 6 (31 Jan - 6 Feb 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
46. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 6. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
47. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
48. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
49. "The Weeknd & Anitta – São Paulo". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
50. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
51. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
52. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
53. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot Dance/Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
54. "The Weeknd Chart History: World Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
55. "Top Radio Hits Latvia Monthly Chart: December 2024". TopHit. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
56. "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: November 2024". TopHit. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
57. "Portuguese single certifications – The Weeknd, Anitta – São Paulo" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
58. "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 02/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved January 19, 2025.