Arnaldo Prete (It) spent his twenties moving between Mexico and Brazil, diving deep into Latin cultures and letting their music reshape him.
Berlin came next. In the city’s underground pulse, he found new electricity, fronting his band Vatapa and carving out his space in the scene.
In Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), he recorded his first album, Danzé — a vibrant snapshot of his African journey.
Brussels became his next home. In 2023, he produced a musical show for children, Toboggan cassé, which continues to tour today.
Now, together with Brazilian percussionist Charel — as a duo or backed by his full band Vatapa — Arnaldo is a vivid presence on the local scene. Vatapa has been performing hundreds of lives in every kind of small and large venues and festivals accross Europe.
Members of Vatapa include percussionnists Charel Perere (Brazil), drum player Danny Millan Collazos (Colombia), bass player Agostino Tarantino (Italy), special guests include percussionnist Escobar (Brazil) and trumbonist Roberto de Oliveira (Brazil). Vatapa's repertoire draws both on Latin and Brazilian popular musical traditions (MPB) and on original compositions by Arnaldo Prete.
Discography : Danze (2014), Toboggan Cassé (2024), Iroko (EP, 2025),
Chakabacunga (EP, 2026)
VATAPA
ARNALDO PRETE
>>> new single out
about
Vatapa fuses afrobrazilian and latin rhythms with catchy melodies and punchy lyrics ensuring powerful performance and a clear identity.
A reflection of band leader Arnaldo Prete's multifaceted musical identity, Vatapa's music is rooted in afrobeat's polyrhythmic foundations but incorporates a forward-looking sensibility with strong lyrics (in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Italian) and refined melodies.
Based in Brussels, Vatapa has been performing hundreds of lives in every kind of small and large venues and festivals accross Europe either in duo with Charel Perere, trio or with a full band.
Members of Vatapa include percussionnists Charel Perere (Brazil), drum player Danny Millan Collazos (Colombia), bass player Agostino Tarantino (Italy), special guests include percussionnist Escobar (Brazil) and trumbonist Roberto de Oliveira (Brazil.
Vatapa's repertoire draws both on Latin and Brazilian popular musical traditions (MPB) and on original compositions by Arnaldo Prete.
O VATAPA
bio
Arnaldo Prete (It) spent his twenties moving between Mexico and Brazil, diving deep into Latin cultures and letting their music reshape him.
Berlin came next. In the city’s underground pulse, he found new electricity, fronting his band Vatapa and carving out his space in the scene.
In Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), he recorded his first album, Danzé — a vibrant snapshot of his African journey.
Brussels became his next home. In 2023, he produced a musical show for children, Toboggan cassé, which continues to tour today.
Now, together with Brazilian percussionist Charel — as a duo or backed by his full band Vatapa — Arnaldo is a vivid presence on the local scene. Vatapa has been performing hundreds of lives in every kind of small and large venues and festivals accross Europe.
Discography : Danze (2014), Toboggan Cassé (2024), Iroko (EP, 2025),Chakabacunga (EP, 2026)
ARNALDO PRETE
>>> Press echoes
(EN)
“Chakabacunga” is a cumbia single from Italian singer, guitarist and composer Arnaldo Prete, now living in Brussels. He calls it cumbia de mezcla, shaped by Peruvian cumbia and Cuban guajira, with a quick, cyclical rhythm and a lead vocal built to pull people into the chorus. He describes it as “a hypnotic, festive piece that recalls an imaginary ritual”, written for a broad audience, Spanish-speaking or not, who enjoy tropical heat, lightness and sensuality.
Rhythm Passport/ https://rhythmpassport.com/daily-discovery-arnaldo-prete-chakabacunga/
(PT)
"O segundo single de Arnaldo Prete, “Chakabacunga”, explode com personalidade rítmica e melódica. (...) O groove é envolvente e contagiante, e o arranjo mantém a música interessante do início ao fim."
Gustavo Neves/ https://www.portalpopcyber.com/arnaldo-prete-lanca-segundo-single-chakabacunga/?_gl=1*1vpcmtz*_gcl_au*NzA4OTg3NzI2LjE3NzIwNTAyMDYuMzk2MDkxNjAuMTc3MzgzODA2Ni4xNzczODM4NDIw*FPAU*NzA4OTg3NzI2LjE3NzIwNTAyMDY.
(ES)
"Con Chakabacunga, el músico reafirma su presencia en la escena local europea, vinculando sus experiencias en América Latina y África con la producción contemporánea."
Elisa Perez/ https://plus.cusica.com/2026/02/23/arnaldo-prete-publica-el-single-chakabacunga/