In the same year, he released his first song on radio stations in Rio de Janeiro – the promotional single "Eu Vou Ficar".

In June 2012, producer Kamilla Fialho, after watching a performance on stage by Anitta, offered to be her manager, paying a fee of 256,000 reais required to release the singer from her contract with Furacão 2000, later signing her to Kamilas's company K2L.

[6] In January 2013, after the success of the song "Meiga e Abusada" in Rio de Janeiro, Anitta signed a recording contract with Warner Music Group.

The song was later announced to be titled "Vai Malandra", a collaboration with Zaac, Maejor, DJ Yuri Martins and Tropkillaz; however no release date was given at that time.

[11] In the following days, Anitta announced a project entitled Check Mate, which consists of the release of a new song in English, Spanish or Portuguese along with its accompanying music video.

[13] For the November Check Mate release, Anitta collaborated with Colombian singer J Balvin on the Latin pop single "Downtown".

She loved the track and decided to add her own part; the duo were joined in the studio by producer DJ Yuri Martins.

Anitta later suggested the inclusion of a few new elements from genres such as hip hop and trap music to the song, to this end inviting producer duo Tropkillaz and American rapper Maejor to work with them on the track.

[15] Despite its title in Portuguese and being sung primarily in that language, the song also features rap verses performed in English by Maejor.

[20] The concept of the video lies in the exploration of baile funk and its culture, featuring Anitta singing and dancing in a favela, as well as sunbathing on the slab.

[21][2][18] The music video for "Vai Malandra" was officially released on Anitta's YouTube channel on December 18, 2017, following a series of promo teasers.

[3] The Traffic Department of Rio de Janeiro (DETRAN) also praised Anitta for wearing a helmet in the video while riding a motorcycle.