Musician’s Launch Affected by X’s Shutdown in Brazil

Musician Faces Uncertain Future as X Goes Dark in Brazil

Just hours before the social media platform X went offline in Brazil, Adrienni Rodrigues, a talented music producer, hurriedly logged in to share some exhilarating news: the release of her debut album. After nearly three years of hard work and collaboration with a diverse team of artists, this moment was monumental for her. However, she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her as she realized that she might be cut off from her 4,000 followers before she could encourage them to tune in to her new music.

“I had just enough time to post about it,” reflected Ms. Rodrigues, 30, who is also known by her stage name, Gau Beats. “An hour or two later, X was already down, and I couldn’t access anything anymore.” The platform had become an integral part of her career, serving as a vital space where she could connect with fellow artists, discover performance opportunities, and promote her creative endeavors. The abrupt shutdown left her feeling despondent.

“It was a critical moment for us,” Ms. Rodrigues lamented. “We lost a platform where we had already built relationships with an audience that appreciates our music.” The swift decision made by Brazil’s Supreme Court to block X came after its owner, Elon Musk, refused to adhere to court orders that mandated the suspension of certain accounts.

As the news spread, many other Brazilians who had similarly relied on X to build their businesses found themselves in a state of panic. They were thrust into a desperate scramble to identify alternative platforms where they would need to start anew in their efforts to reach clients, market their creations, and connect with potential sponsors.