By Paulo Maia
The story of Rafael Alves, artistically known as Rafabeat, is a vibrant testimony of how unwavering passion and adaptability can redefine success in the music scene. From a humble childhood in the countryside of Paraná to becoming a global streamer on TikTok, his trajectory inspires and proves that talent knows no boundaries.
Born on a farm near Cornélio Procópio, Paraná, Rafa and his brother João Paulo grew up under modest financial conditions, yet with a vast sound universe in their hearts. The seed of music was planted by their older brother, Walkerley, who gifted Rafa his first guitar at the age of seven, encouraging the duo to sing. Inspired by the film “Two Sons of Francisco: The True Story of Zeze Di Camargo & Luciano”, they saw music not just as a pastime, but as a serious path.
This initial partnership, now known as Jotapê and Rafabeat, became the foundation of everything. The union of the singer (JP) and the producer (Rafa) allowed the duo to consolidate their mark in the music scene. The very origin of the name “Rafabeat” came when Rafael, while studying music production, mixing, and mastering, became a sought-after beatmaker, nicknamed by friends. This name not only identified him as a producer but also helped distinguish and sell the duo’s shows.
Thanks to his eclectic taste — ranging from sertanejo to trap, funk, rap, pop, and rock — and his previous experience as an instrumentalist (he played the trombone), Rafabeat has always been able to navigate different genres. This technical versatility became his greatest asset when the music scene changed drastically.
With the arrival of the pandemic, the impossibility of performing live shows forced him to reinvent himself. He dove into technology, learning to operate software such as OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), using his phone as a webcam, and offering professional livestreams to other artists. This initiative not only kept him active but also financed the construction of his own studio.
The definitive turning point came in 2022, when the duo discovered TikTok as a new monetization platform. Despite a modest start (ten cents on the first day of livestreaming), his passion for music pushed him to make a life-changing bet: he quit his job and dropped out of business school to dedicate himself entirely to the digital world.
Today, Rafabeat achieves exponential results in his own livestreams — with audiences in countries such as the Philippines, Japan, London, and the United States — and has expanded his role as a Creator Manager at a TikTok agency. In this role, he works behind the scenes, managing and guiding more than 100 streamers. His experience in building a career from scratch in the digital space serves as both inspiration and guidance for an entire community of new artists.
Music has led him to important personal milestones, such as moving to São Paulo, living alone for the first time at age 28 — an achievement made possible by the opportunities that talent and the platform opened up.
Although the duo Jotapê and Rafabeat is currently on pause regarding live shows, prioritizing digital work, there are plans to resume projects, always focusing on profitability and the value of artistic work.
For Rafabeat, talent and passion are the essence. In his livestreams, he filters content to create “moments” that prioritize emotion and the relevance of the song, blending romantic sertanejo, traditional modão, and international ballads. His journey is a powerful reminder that music is timeless and that, with courage, creativity, and adaptability, an artist can transform a childhood dream into a global career.
Connect with Rafabeat
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rafabeatsinger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rafabeatsinger/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RAFABEAT
Kwai: https://www.kwai.com/@rafabeat
