What does the perfect song sound like?

In this episode of One Song One Story, I sit down with Ivan Costa, a man whose life soundtrack spans gospel, grime, kizomba, dancehall and R&B.
And then he brings the song.

Drake’s Controlla.

What follows is not a breakdown of production or lyrics, but a memory unlocked in real time.
Summer 2016. A house party about to be shut down by the police.
One last song.
The room erupts.

From childhood influences shaped by Portuguese and African heritage, to discovering music through playground freestyles, gospel for the soul, and Drake as a time machine, this conversation is about how certain songs don’t just play in the background…

They hold chapters of our lives.

Ivan shares how music keeps him grounded, how nostalgia creeps in when you least expect it, and why some songs feel like a photograph you can listen to.

This one is about love, youth, chaos, rhythm, faith, and the kind of track that changes a night forever.

00:00 Introduction to Ivan Costa02:54 The Power of Music in Daily Life05:36 Musical Influences and Early Experiences08:24 The Evolution of Music Tastes10:45 Cultural Background and Musical Heritage13:29 The Impact of Music on Emotions16:12 Music's Role in Family Life18:55 The Connection Between Music and Film21:37 Choosing a Song: Drake's 'Controlla'25:29 The Journey of Love and Music29:42 The Impact of Drake's 'Controller' on Memories33:27 The Energy and Vibe of Dancehall and R&B37:16 Nostalgia and Its Role in Music41:37 Lyrics vs. Melody: How We Digest Music46:28 Imagining 'Controller' in Film51:55 The Influence of Covers and Remixes53:49 Riverside Intro : Outro.mp4