About Be from the World
Be from the World is the musical and visual identity of Barnabé Freixo—a multi-disciplinary artist whose sound and vision have been forged across a lifetime of global, cross-cultural lived experiences. Born in Paris in 1974, Barnabé's musical journey began at just eight years old, playing percussion in Paris metro stations alongside his stepfather on guitar. That early spark, combined with witnessing legendary acts like The Rolling Stones and Young live in 1983, ignited a lifelong devotion to raw, authentic musical expression.
In 1990, Barnabé relocated to London, spending 27 foundational years immersed in the city's diverse and thriving music scene. It was here that his artistry expanded, from pushing boundaries in the 1990s hip-hop initiative Legalize to founding the eclectic genre-bending band The Bellagios in 2004. Blending Hip-Hop, Funk, Rock, and World Music, The Bellagiosmade history by winning the prestigious Glastonbury Unsigned Bands competition—making Barnabé the first Portuguese artist ever to perform at the iconic Glastonbury Festival.
Throughout his time in the UK, Barnabé collaborated with legendary figures like soul icon Omar and Fyfe Dangerfield, while simultaneously expanding his creative footprint into video, directing award-winning short films, and capturing moving documentary photography focused on global social issues. His solo exhibition Nona Vivi, documenting his travels in Guinea-Bissau, was later showcased at the MUSA Museum in Sintra and the National Palace of Mafra.
The Creative Evolution & Defying Censorship
Returning to Portugal in 2017, Barnabé continued to evolve—producing electronic music under the DJ alias COIXI while sharpening his primary mission as Be from the World.
His music has always stood as a fierce statement against algorithm-driven censorship and digital suppression, a theme that took centre stage on his previous EP, 404: Songs Not Found. Featuring the anthem "Bora Viver" with Brazilian rapper Phantom DK, that 6-track project directly reclaimed pure human creativity from automated digital suppression by re-releasing tracks previously removed by streaming algorithms.
Now based in Milan, Italy, his nomadic background allows him to effortlessly bridge linguistic and cultural boundaries, writing and performing in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian. For Barnabé, music is an essential tool for processing life's sharpest transitions, uncertainties, and deep personal losses. Driven by a dedication to absolute authenticity, Be from the World rejects the sterile perfection of modern artificial trends, leaving raw emotions completely intact.
The New Chapter: It Wasn't Supposed to Be Anything
This lifetime of musical exploration and resilience culminates in his latest, most ambitious work: It Wasn't Supposed to Be Anything. Born out of a period of profound personal pain and loss in Portugal, and completed after moving to Italy to rebuild his life, this deeply personal 15-track record blends hip-hop, world music, spoken word, and experimental soundscapes across four languages.
Featuring international collaborations, recordings made in Guinea-Bissau, and an appearance by his own grandmother, Avó Isa, the album stands alongside his previous work as a powerful testament to the enduring human need to create, survive, and speak unvarnished truth.
Listen to Both Albums Here:
1. It Wasn't Supposed to Be Anything (Latest Album)
[Paste your Spotify Embedded Code for the new album here]
2. 404: Songs Not Found (Previous EP)
[Paste your Spotify Embedded Code for the 404 EP here]