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Themusic of Brazil encompasses various regional musical styles influenced by European,American, African and Amerindian forms. Brazilian music developed some unique and original styles such asforró, repente, coco de roda,axé,sertanejo,samba,bossa nova,MPB,gaucho music,pagode,tropicália,choro,maracatu, embolada (coco de repente),frevo,brega,modinha and Brazilian versions of foreign musical styles, such as rock,pop music,soul,hip-hop,disco music,country music,ambient,industrial andpsychedelic music,rap, classical music,fado, andgospel.
Samba has become the most known form of Brazilian music worldwide, especially because of the country'scarnival, althoughbossa nova, which hadAntônio Carlos Jobim as one of its most acclaimed composers and performers, has received much attention abroad since the 1950s, when the song "Desafinado", interpreted byJoão Gilberto, was first released.
The first four winners of the Shell Brazilian Music prize[1] have each left a legacy on Brazilian music and are among the representatives of Brazilian popular music:Pixinguinha (choro),Antônio Carlos Jobim (bossa nova),Dorival Caymmi (samba and samba-canção), andLuiz Gonzaga (forró).
Instrumental music is also largely practiced in Brazil, with styles ranging from classical topopular andjazz influenced forms. Among the later,Naná Vasconcelos,Pixinguinha,Hermeto Pascoal andEgberto Gismonti are significant figures. Notable classical composers includeHeitor Villa-Lobos,Carlos Gomes andCláudio Santoro. The country also has a growing community of modern/experimental composition, includingelectroacoustic music.
Little is known of the music of Brazil before the area's first encounter with Portuguese explorers on 22 April 1500. During the colonial period, documents detail the musical activities of the major Roman Catholic cathedrals and the parlors of the upper classes, but data about musical life outside these domains are sparse. Some information is available in writings left by such travellers asJean de Léry, who lived in Brazil from 1557 to 1558 and produced the first known transcriptions of native American music: two chants of the Tupinambá, near Rio de Janeiro.[2]
Further registration of musical activity in Brazil came from the activities of twoJesuit priests in 1549. Ten years later, they had already founded settlements for indigenous people (theReduções), with a musical-educational structure.
One century later, the Reduções of the southern Brazil, which were founded by Spaniard Jesuits, had a strong cultural development, where some music schools were founded. Some of the reports of that time show the fascination of the indigenous people for European music.[3] The indigenous people also took part in the music, with both the construction of musical instruments and practice of vocal and instrumental performance.
In the 18th century, there was intense musical activity in all the more developed regions of Brazil, with their moderately stable institutional and educational structures. The previously few private orchestras became more common and the churches presented a great variety of music.
In the first half of this century, the most outstanding works were composed by Luís Álvares Pinto, Caetano de Mello de Jesus andAntônio José da Silva ("the Jew"), who became successful inLisbon writinglibrettos for comedies, which were performed also in Brazil with music byAntónio Teixeira.
In the second part of the 18th century, there was a great flourishing inMinas Gerais, mostly in the regions ofVila Rica (currentlyOuro Preto),Mariana andArraial do Tejuco (currentlyDiamantina), where the mining of gold and diamonds for the Portuguese metropolis attracted a sizable population. At this time, the first outstanding Brazilian composers were revealed, most of themmulattoes. The musical pieces were mostly sacred music. Some of the noteworthy composers of this period wereLobo de Mesquita, Manoel Dias de Oliveira,Francisco Gomes da Rocha,Marcos Coelho Neto and Marcos Coelho Neto Filho. All of them were very active, but in many cases few pieces have survived until the present day. Some of the most famous pieces of this period are theMagnificat by Manoel Dias de Oliveira and theOur Lady's Antiphon by Lobo de Mesquita. In the city of Arraial do Tejuco, nowadaysDiamantina, there were ten conductors in activity. InOuro Preto about 250 musicians were active, and in all of the territory of Minas Gerais almost a thousand musicians were active.[4]
With the impoverishment of the mines at the end of the century, the focus of the musical activity changed to other centers, speciallyRio de Janeiro andSão Paulo, whereAndré da Silva Gomes, a composer of Portuguese origin, released a great number of works and dynamized the musical life of the city.
Also, the oldest Orchestra of all Americas is situated in São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, called Lira Sanjoanense, conducted, today, by Modesto Flávio Fonseca.
A crucial factor for the changes in the musical life was the arrival of the Portuguese Royal family toRio de Janeiro in 1808. Until then, Rio de Janeiro was musically similar to other cultural centers of Brazil but was even less important than Minas Gerais. The presence of the Portuguese Royal family, in exile, radically changed this situation, as theCapela Real of Rio de Janeiro was established.
The kingJohn VI of Portugal brought with him to Brazil the great musical library from theHouse of Bragança, one of the best of Europe at that time, and ordered the arrival of musicians fromLisbon and thecastrati from Italy, re-ordering the Royal Chapel. Later, John VI ordered the construction of a sumptuous theater, called the Royal Theater of São João. The secular music had the presence ofMarcos Portugal, who was designated as the official composer of the household, and ofSigismund von Neukomm, who contributed with his own work and brought the works of the Austrian composersWolfgang Amadeus Mozart andJoseph Haydn. The works of these composers strongly influenced the Brazilian music of this time.
José Maurício Nunes Garcia, the first of the great Brazilian composers, emerged at this time. With a large culture for his origin – he was poor and mulatto – he was one of the founders of the Irmandade de Santa Cecília, in Rio de Janeiro, teacher andmestre de capela of the Royal Chapel during the presence of John VI in Brazil. Nunes Garcia was the most prolific Brazilian composer of this time. He also composed the first opera written in Brazil,Le Due Gemelle (The Two Twins), with text in Italian, but the music is now lost.
Other important composers of this period are Gabriel Fernandes da Trindade, who composed the only Brazilianchamber music from the 19th century which has survived to the present times,[5] and João de Deus de Castro Lobo, who lived in the cities of Mariana and Ouro Preto, which were decadent at this time.
This period, however, was brief. In 1821, John VI went back to Lisbon, taking with him the household, and the cultural life in Rio de Janeiro became empty. And, despite the love ofPeter I of Brazil for the music – he was also author of some musical pieces like theBrazilian Independence Anthem – the difficult financial situation did not allow many luxuries. The conflagration of the Royal Theater in 1824 was another symbol of decadence, which reached the most critical point when Peter I renounced the throne, going back to Portugal.
The only composer who had a relevant work in this period wasFrancisco Manuel da Silva, disciple of Nunes Garcia, who succeeded him as kapellmeister. In spite of his few resources, he founded the Musical Conservatory of Rio de Janeiro. He was the author of theBrazilian National Anthem's melody. His work reflected the musical transition for theRomanticism, when the interest of the national composers was focused in the opera. The most outstanding Brazilian composer of this period wasAntônio Carlos Gomes, who composed Italian-styled operas with national themes, such asIl Guarany (based onJosé de Alencar's novelO Guarani) andLo Schiavo. These operas were very successful in European theaters, like theTeatro alla Scala, inMilan. Other important composer of this time isElias Álvares Lobo, who wrote the operaA Noite de São João, the first Brazilian opera with text in Portuguese.
The opera in Brazil was very popular until the middle of the 20th century, and many opera houses were built at this time, likeTeatro Amazonas inManaus,Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro,Municipal Theater of São Paulo, and many others.
At the end of the 19th century, the greatest composers for the symphonic music were revealed. One of the most outstanding name of this period wasLeopoldo Miguez, who followed theWagnerian style andHenrique Oswald, who incorporated elements of the FrenchImpressionism.
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In the beginning of the 20th century, there was a movement for creating an authentically Brazilian music, with less influences of the European culture. In this sense, thefolklore was the major font of inspiration for the composers. Some composers likeBrasílio Itiberê da Cunha,Luciano Gallet andAlexandre Levy, despite having a European formation, included some typically Brazilian elements in their works. This trend reached the highest point withAlberto Nepomuceno, who used largely the rhythms and melodies from the Brazilian folklore. There were local cultural movements to consolidate regional identities through music as for example,José Brazilício de Souza, who wrote the stateanthem ofSanta Catarina and his sonÁlvaro Sousa, who was a noticeable musician, music educator, and composer there.[6]
An important event, later, was theModern Art Week, in 1922, which had a large impact on concepts of national art. In this event the composerHeitor Villa-Lobos, regarded as the most outstanding name of the Brazilian nationalism, was revealed.
Villa-Lobos did researches about the musical folklore of Brazil, and mixed elements both from classical and popular music. He explored many musical genres such as concertos,symphonies,modinhas,Fados, and other symphonic, vocal and chamber music. Some of his masterworks are the balletUirapuru and the two series ofChôros andBachianas Brasileiras.
Other composers of Brazilian national music of this era includeOscar Lorenzo Fernández,Radamés Gnattali,Camargo Guarnieri,Osvaldo Lacerda,Francisco Mignone, andErnesto Nazareth.
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As a reaction against the nationalist school, who was identified as "servile" to the centralizing politics ofGetúlio Vargas, in 1939 theMovimento Música Viva (Living Music Movement) appeared, led byHans Joachim Koellreutter and by Egídio de Castro e Silva, defending the adoption of an international style, derived from thedodecaphonism ofArnold Schoenberg. This group was integrated by composers likeCláudio Santoro,César Guerra-Peixe,Eunice Catunda and Edino Krieger. Koellreutter adopted revolutionary methodes, in respect to the individuality of each student and giving to the students the freedom of creativity before the knowledge of the traditional rules for composition. The movement edited a magazine and presented a series of radio programs showing their fundaments and works of contemporary music. Later, Guerra-Peixe and Santoro followed an independent way, centered in the regional music. Other composers, who used freely the previous styles wereMarlos Nobre,Almeida Prado, and Armando Albuquerque, who created their own styles.
After 1960, the Brazilian avant-garde movement received a new wave, focusing onserial music,microtonal music,concrete music andelectronic music, employing a completely new language. This movement was calledMúsica Nova (New Music) and was led byGilberto Mendes andWilly Corrêa de Oliveira. An important fact was the introduction ofelectronic music in Brazil, with the pioneering works of the cariocaJorge Antunes in 1961.
Carlos Gomes was the first composer on non-European origin to achieve wide recognition in the classical music environment of the Golden age of Opera in Italy.Bossa Nova was created as anti-opera in a time when opera seemed to represent the art-form of the elite. [5] In recent years the style has been revived with works byJorge Antunes, Flo Menezes, and others.
Since 2014 theInternational Brazilian Opera (IBOC) has been producing new works, most notably by its artistic director and resident composerJoao MacDowell.
Nowadays, Brazilian music follows the guidelines of both experimentalism and traditional music. Some of the contemporary Brazilian composers areAmaral Vieira,Sílvio Ferraz, Guilherme Bauer,Ronaldo Miranda, David Koenchendler, Nestor de Hollanda Cavalcanti,Ernani Aguiar, Flo Menezes,Marcos Balter, Alexandre Lunsqui, Rodolfo Caesar,Felipe Lara,Edson Zampronha, Marcus Siqueira, Rodrigo Lima,Jorge Antunes, Roberto Victorio andJoão MacDowell. From the new generation of Brazilian composers,Caio Facó has achieved international recognition for his work.
Brazil has a large number of internationally recognized orchestras and performers, despite the relatively low support of the government. The most famous Brazilian orchestra is probably theSão Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, currently under conductorThierry Fischer. Other Brazilian orchestras worthy of note are the São Paulo University Symphony, theOrquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, Orquestra Filarmônica de Minas Gerais and the Petrobras Sinfônica, supported by the Brazilian state oil companyPetrobras.
There are also regular operas scheduled every year in cities such asSão Paulo andRio de Janeiro. Thestate of São Paulo also hosts the Winter Festival in the city ofCampos do Jordão.
Some of the most famous Brazilian conductors areRoberto Minczuk,John Neschling andIsaac Karabtchevsky. The instrumentalists include, among others:Roberto Szidon,Antonio Meneses, Cussy de Almeida, Gilberto Tinetti,Arnaldo Cohen,Nelson Freire, Eudóxia de Barros,Guiomar Novaes andMagda Tagliaferro. And some of the most famous Brazilian singers were, historically,Zola Amaro, Constantina Araújo andBidu Sayão; living singers includeEliane Coelho,Kismara Pessatti, Maria Lúcia Godoy, Sebastião Teixeira, and others.
In the 1980s, a wave of Brazilian heavy metal bands gained public attention. The most commercially successful of these wasSepultura, founded in São Paulo in 1983, preceded byDorsal Atlantica and followed bySarcófago.
The intrusion of alien elements into Brazil's cultural system is not a destructive process. The return of a democratic government allowed for freedom of expression. The Brazilian music industry opened up to international styles and this has allowed for both foreign and local genres to co-exist and identify people. Each different style relates to the people socially, politically, and economically. "Brazil is a regionally divided country with a rich cultural and musical diversity among states. As such, musicians in the country choose to define their local heritage differently depending on where they come from." This shows how globalization has not robbed Brazil of its identity but instead given it the ability to represent its people both in Brazil and the rest of the world.
In recent years Brazilian artists have become more interested in Africa, the Caribbean and their own indigenous and folk music. While there are some artists who continue to perform rock and Western pop, there are now just as many contemporaries playing a fusion of African and European influences with those from across The Americas. Some artists have even become influenced by Asian music, noticing some parallels between music from the Northeast of Brazil and music from India.
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The native peoples of the Brazilianrainforest play instruments includingwhistles, flutes,horns,drums andrattles. Much of the area's folk music imitates the sounds of theAmazon Rainforest. When the Portuguese arrived in Brazil, the first natives they met played an array of reed flutes and other wind and percussion instruments.
TheJesuitmissionaries introduced songs which used theTupi language with Christian lyrics, an attempt to convert the people to Christianity,[7] and also introducedGregorian chant and the flute,bow, and theclavichord.
TheAfro-Brazilian sport ofcapoeira is never played without its own music, which is usually considered to be a call-and-response type of folk music. The main instruments of capoeira music include theberimbau, theatabaque and thepandeiro.Capoeira songs may be improvised on the spot, or they may be popular songs written by older, and ancientmestres (teachers), and often include accounts of the history of capoeira, or the doings of great mestres.
This type of music is played primarily in theRecife andOlinda regions during Carnaval. It is anAfro-Brazilian tradition. The music serves as the backdrop for parade groups that evolved out of ceremonies conducted during colonial times in honour of the Kings of Congo, who were African slaves occupying symbolic leadership positions among the slave population. The music is played on largealfaia drums, large metal gonguê bells, snare drums and shakers.
An important variant is found in and around Fortaleza, Ceará (called maracatu cearense), which is different from the Recife/Olinda tradition in many respects: triangles are used instead of gonguês,surdos orzabumbas instead of alfaias. Also, important female characters are performed by cross-dressed male performers, and all African and Afrobrazilian personages are performed using blackface makeup.
Afoxé is the name given to a group dedicated to playing ijexá, which is a kind ofreligious music, part of theCandomblé tradition. In 1949, a group called Filhos de Gandhi began playing afoxé duringcarnaval parades in Salvador; their name translates asSons of Gandhi, associating black Brazilian activism withMahatma Gandhi's Indian independence movement.
The Filhos de Gandhi's 1949 appearance was also revolutionary because, until then, the Carnaval parades in Salvador were meant only for light-skinned people.
Northeastern Brazil is known for a distinctive form of literature calledliteratura de cordel, which are a type ofballads that include elements incorporated into music as "repentismo", an improvised lyrical contest on themes suggested by the audience.
Similar to Repentismo, appears among theCaipira culture a musical form derived fromviola caipira, which is calledcururu.
Choro (literally "cry" in Portuguese, but in context a more appropriate translation would be "lament"), traditionally calledchorinho ("little cry" or "little lament"). Instrumental, its origins are in 19th century Rio de Janeiro. Originallychoro was played by a trio of flute, guitar and cavaquinho (a small chordophone with four strings). The young pianistErnesto Nazareth published his first choro (Não Caio Noutra) in 1878 at the age of 14.[8] Nazareth's choros are often listed aspolkas;[9] he also composedwaltzes,schottisches,milongas andBrazilian Tangos. (He resisted the popular termmaxixe to represent Brazilian tango.)[10]Chiquinha Gonzaga was another important composer of choros and started shortly after Nazareth.Chiquinha Gonzaga composed her first success, the polka-choro "Atraente", in 1877. In the beginning, the success of choro came from informal groups of friends which played in parties, pubs (botecos), streets, home balls (forrobodós), and also the musical scores published by print houses.[11] By the 1910s, much of the Brazilian first phonograph records are choros. The mainstream success of this style of music (By the 1930s) came from the early days of radio, when bands performed live on the air. By the 1950s and 1960s it was replaced bysamba andBossa Nova and other styles of Brazilian popular music, but was still alive in amateur circles called "rodas de choro" (informal choro gatherings in residences andbotecos). However, in the late 1970s there was a successful effort to revitalize the genre carried out by some famous artists:Pixinguinha,Waldir Azevedo andJacob do Bandolim.
In 1929, prompted by the opening of the first radio station in Rio de Janeiro, the so-calledradio era began spreading songs – especially the novelty Samba in its current format – to larger masses. This period was dominated by few male interpreters – notably Almirante,Braguinha,Mário Reis,Sílvio Caldas,Francisco Alves and singer/composerNoel Rosa and even fewer chanteuses such asAracy de Almeida and sistersAurora Miranda andCarmen Miranda, who eventually came to Hollywood becoming a movie star.[12]
Popular music included instruments likecuicas,tambourines,frying pans ('played' with a metal stick), flutes and guitars. Noteworthy Samba composers at this early stage included saidNoel Rosa plusLamartine Babo and, aroundWorld War II time,Ary Barroso.
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MPB's early stage (from World War II to the mid-1960s) was populated by male singers such as Orlando Silva,Nelson Gonçalves,Jamelão,Agostinho dos Santos,Anísio Silva,Ataulfo Alves,Carlos Galhardo,Ciro Monteiro,Ismael Silva,João Dias,Jorge Goulart,Miltinho,Jorge Veiga andFrancisco Egídio and female singers started to mushroom:Nora Ney,Dolores Duran,Ângela Maria,Emilinha Borba, Marlene,Dalva de Oliveira,Maysa Matarazzo, sistersLinda Batista andDircinha Batista, among others.[13]
MPB's second stage – after the splitBossa Nova (1959) /Jovem Guarda (1965) /Tropicalismo (both 1967) – refers to mainstream Brazilian pop music. Well-known MPB artists include, among many others, singers such asGretchen,Gal Costa,Nara Leão,Trem da Alegria,Marina Lima,Simone,Xuxa,Guilherme Arantes,Roberto Carlos,Jorge Ben Jor,Milton Nascimento,Angélica,João Bosco,Ivan Lins,Djavan.
The first bossa nova records byJoão Gilberto, in the last years of the 1950s, quickly became huge hits in Brazil.Antonio Carlos Jobim and other composers helped further develop this smoother, often slower, samba beat, which developed at the beach neighborhoods ofIpanema and, later, theCopacabana nightclubs. Bossa nova was introduced to the rest of the world by American jazz musicians in the early 1960s, and the song "The Girl from Ipanema" remains probably the best known Brazilian musical export, eventually becoming a jazz standard.
Brega is widely used to refer to popular romantic music with dramatic exaggeration or ingenuity, usually dealing with topics such as declarations of love, infidelity and love delusions. Historically, the greatest singers of the genre are from northeastern and northern Brazil; three of its biggest icons historically wereWaldick Soriano,Reginaldo Rossi andFalcão, the latter following a part of a tradition of humorous brega.Paulo Sérgio stood out for his dramatic and romantic music. some precursors of the style in singers of the 1940s and 1950s, who followed, throughbolero andsamba-canção, a more "romantic" theme. Among themOrlando Dias, Carlos Alberto,Alcides Gerardi andCauby Peixoto.[14]
Technobrega is a Brazilian music genre that emerged in the early 2000s in the northern state of Pará, particularly in the city of Belém. The term combines "techno," referencingelectronic music elements, and "brega", a Portuguese word often used to describe music considered kitschy or sentimental.
Rooted in regional rhythms such asbrega,forró, andcalypso, technobrega blends synthesizers, drum machines, and digital production with emotional lyrics and danceable beats. It gained popularity through informal distribution methods, including street vendors and large sound system parties known as aparelhagens. These events are crucial to the genre's culture, often involving light shows, live performances, and remix battles.
Unlike mainstream music industries, technobrega artists frequently operate independently, producing and distributing their own music. This model has challenged traditional notions of copyright and music commercialization in Brazil, making the genre a case study in alternative music economies. Despite facing prejudice and being labeled as lowbrow, technobrega has become a powerful expression of regional identity and creativity, influencing other genres and reaching audiences beyond the Amazon region.
Some of the most prominent names in the technobrega scene include:
Gaby Amarantos – Known as the “Beyoncé of Pará,” Gaby brought technobrega to national and international audiences with her fusion of brega, pop, and electronic styles.
Banda Uó – Though based in Goiás, this trio incorporated technobrega influences into their pop-electro sound and helped popularize the genre among younger audiences.
Pabllo Vittar – One of Brazil's most prominent LGBTQ+ pop artists, Pabllo Vittar has incorporated technobrega elements into several of her songs, blending regional rhythms with global pop and electronic music, helping introduce the genre to wider audiences.
Forró is a popular music and dance genre fromNortheastern Brazil. The term refers to both the musical style and the social events where it is played, and it encompasses a variety of rhythmic forms that have evolved over time. With deep roots in rural traditions and everyday life, forró is an important symbol of Northeastern cultural identity.
Forró originated in the early 20th century, particularly in the semi-arid region known as thesertão. It is traditionally performed by a trio consisting of theaccordion (sanfona), thezabumba (a type of bass drum), and thetriângulo (triangle). The music typically features syncopated rhythms and lyrics that reflect themes of love, migration, hardship, and regional pride. Forró is a central element in regional celebrations such as the June Festivals. Beyond entertainment, it acts as a powerful form of cultural expression, transmitting local values and fostering community bonds. In 2021, forró was officially recognized as part of Brazil'sIntangible Cultural Heritage by theInstituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN).[15]
Among the most iconic names in the history of forró isLuiz Gonzaga, who is widely regarded as the father of the genre and was instrumental in popularizing baião across Brazil. His influence shaped the sound of forró and brought the culture of the Northeast to national prominence. Another major figure isDominguinhos, a protégé of Gonzaga, known for blending traditional forró with elements of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) and jazz.Elba Ramalho gained fame for her energetic performances and for bringing forró to broader Brazilian pop audiences. Other influential artists includeMarinês, often called the "Queen of Forró";Trio Nordestino, pioneers of the classic forró trio format;Genival Lacerda, known for his humorous lyrics; and contemporary groups such asFalamansa, who helped revitalize the genre in the 2000s through the “forró universitário” movement, andNegâh Santos —Brazilian jazz percussionist withThe Late Show Band.
Axé originated inSalvador, Bahia in the 1980s, fusing differentAfro-Caribbean genres, such as marcha,reggae, andcalypso. It also includes influences of Brazilian music such asfrevo,forró and carixada. The word Axé comes from theYoruba termàṣẹ, meaning "soul, light, spirit or good vibrations".[16][17] Axé is also present in theCandomblé religion, as "the imagined spiritual power and energy bestowed upon practitioners by the pantheon of orixás". It also has ties with theRoman Catholic Church and theLenten season, which represents the roots ofBahian Carnival.[16]
Gospel music emerged in Brazil before the 1960s with hymnals that were brought and translated into Portuguese by American missionaries. From the late 1960s the first singers of Christian music groups emerged in Brazil, but the songs were not highly valued. Gospel music became popular in Brazil in the late 1990s, with the emergence of congregational singing and bands such asDiante do Trono, led byAna Paula Valadão. Diante do Trono has become the largestcontemporary worship music ministry in Latin America.[18]
The musical style known in Brazil as "Brazilianrock n' roll" dates back to Nora Ney's "Ronda Das Horas", a Portuguese version of "Rock Around the Clock" in 1954. In the 1960s, young singers likeRoberto Carlos and theJovem Guarda movement were very popular. The 1960s also saw the rise of bands such as the "tropicalistas"Os Mutantes and the experimental (mixingprogressive rock,jazz andMúsica popular brasileira) Som Imaginário.
The 1970s saw the emergence of manyprogressive rock and/orhard rock bands such asO Terço,A Bolha,A Barca do Sol,Som Nosso de Cada Dia,Vímana andBacamarte, some of which attained some recognition internationally;Rita Lee, in her solo career afterOs Mutantes, championed the glam-rock aesthetics in Brazil;Casa das Máquinas andPatrulha do Espaço were more bona-fidehard rock bands, and the likes of (Raul Seixas,Secos e Molhados,Novos Baianos andA Cor do Som) mixed the genre with traditional Brazilian music. In the late 1970s, the Brazilianpunk rock scene kicked off mainly in São Paulo and in Brasília, booming in the 1980s, withInocentes,Cólera,Ratos de Porão,Garotos Podres, etc.
The real commercial boom of Brazilian rock was in the 1980s, with many bands and artists likeBlitz,Camisa de Vênus,Barão Vermelho,Legião Urbana,Lobão,Engenheiros do Hawaii,Titãs,Kid Abelha,Paralamas do Sucesso, and many others, and festivals likeRock in Rio andHollywood Rock.. The late 1980s and early 1990s also witnessed the beginnings of an electronica-inspired scene, with a lot more limited commercial potential but achieving some critical acclaim:Suba,Loop B,Harry, etc.
In the 1990s, the meteoric rise ofMamonas Assassinas, which sold more than 3 million copies of its only CD (a record, by Brazilian standards) came to a tragic end when the band's plane crashed, killing all five members of the band, the pilot and the co-pilot. Other commercially successful bands includedJota Quest,Charlie Brown Jr.,Raimundos andSkank, whileChico Science & Nação Zumbi and the wholeMangue Bit movement received much critical attention and accolades, but very little commercial success – success that declined after the death of one of its founders,Chico Science. It was also in the 1990s that the first seeds of what would grow into being the Brazilian indie scene were planted, with the creation of indie festivals such asAbril Pro Rock and, later in the decade,Porão do Rock. The bandPato Fu was considered byTime magazine one of the ten best bands in the world outside the United States.[19] It is also known to re-record hits Brazilian and international versions of toy instruments.
Female singerPitty is also very popular. The indie scene has been growing exponentially since the early 2000s, with more and more festivals taking place all around the country. However, due to several factors including but not limited to the worldwide collapse of the music industry, all the agitation in the indie scene has so far failed in translating into international success, but in Brazil they developed a real, substantial cultural movement. That scene is still much of a ghetto, with bands capturing the attention of international critics, but many playing again in Brazil when they become popular in the exterior, due to the lack of financial and material support which would allow for careers to be developed. One notable exception isCSS, an alternativeelectro rock outfit that has launched a successful international career, performing in festivals and venues in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Other unique example of success through independent music scene that made to the mainstream is the bandMóveis Coloniais de Acaju. The band has its own style, somewhere between rock and folk, and is recognized as the most important independent band in Brazil. The record company Trama[1] tries to support some bands with structure and exposure, and can be credited with early support toCSS and later to Móveis Coloniais de Acaju.
Alternative rock in Brazil, including its subgenreindie rock, represents a diverse and dynamic branch of Brazilian popular music that emerged prominently in the late 1980s and flourished during the 1990s and 2000s. Influenced by international acts like The Smiths, Radiohead, Nirvana, and Sonic Youth, as well as local post-punk and new wave pioneers, Brazilian alternative rock blends introspective lyrics, experimental sonorities, and regional identities with a do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos.[20][21]
In the 1990s, bands such asPato Fu (from Belo Horizonte),Skank (initially blending rock and reggae), andLos Hermanos (from Rio de Janeiro) helped redefine the sound of Brazilian rock. Their success paved the way for a new generation of bands exploring more poetic, ironic, and sometimes melancholic themes—often far from the traditional aesthetics of mainstream Brazilian rock.[22]
The 2000s and 2010s saw the rise of a robust independent music scene, often supported by digital distribution and small festivals across Brazil. Bands such asMombojó (Recife),Superguidis (Porto Alegre),Ludov (São Paulo), andCachorro Grande (Porto Alegre) stood out by blending indie rock with regional music influences, psychedelic elements, or a revival of garage and mod rock.[23]
More recently, bands likeO Terno,Boogarins, and solo acts such asCéu andTim Bernardes have received international attention while maintaining a strong presence in Brazil's alternative music circuits. Their sound often combines MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), Tropicália, and rock with experimental or lo-fi aesthetics, making Brazilian indie rock one of the most eclectic and innovative branches of contemporary Latin American music.[24][25]
Brazilianmetal originated in the mid 1980s with three prominent scenes: Belo Horizonte, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The most famous Brazilian metal bands areSepultura,Angra,Krisiun and the singerAndre Matos. Sepultura is considered an influentialthrash metal band, influencing the development ofdeath metal.
Famous bands of the 1980s includeKorzus,Sarcófago,Overdose,[26][27]Dorsal Atlântica,Viper,MX,PUS,Mutilator,Chakal,Vulcano andAttomica.[28]
There's alsoMassacration, a Brazilian satirical heavy metal band, self-proclaimed the "greatest band in the world".[29][30]
Brazilian black metal scene has developed a distinctive identity since its emergence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, marked by its raw production, intense atmosphere, and often controversial ideological themes. While influenced by the early Scandinavian wave of black metal, the Brazilian scene quickly evolved its own aesthetics and sonic aggression, shaped by local socio-political contexts and underground metal traditions. One of the earliest and most influential acts wasSarcófago, a band that, although initially rooted in death and thrash metal, helped lay the groundwork for black metal in Brazil. Their 1987 albumI.N.R.I. is considered a seminal release in the global black metal canon, noted for its primitive sound, anti-Christian themes, and visual elements that predated much of the second wave of black metal in Europe.[31][32]
Although not always classified strictly as black metal by contemporary genre standards, several extreme metal bands from the 1980s laid important foundations for the development of the Brazilian black metal scene. Groups likeVulcano,Holocausto, andMutilator emerged with a raw, aggressive sound and anti-establishment themes that resonated with the aesthetic and ideology later embraced by black metal. Vulcano, formed in São Paulo in 1981, released Bloody Vengeance (1986), a record now recognized as a pioneering work in South American extreme metal.Holocausto, part of the so-called "Belo Horizonte scene" alongsideSarcófago andSepultura, shocked the underground with their 1987 debut Campo de Extermínio, an album noted for its chaotic sonic violence and war-themed imagery.Mutilator, another key act from Belo Horizonte, also contributed to the early blackened death/thrash hybrid sound with Immortal Force (1987). These bands are now seen as proto-black metal influences that helped shape the Brazilian and global underground.[33]
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, bands such asMystifier,Impurity,Murder Rape,Unearthly,Luxúria de Lilith,Ocultan andMiasthenia carried the torch, each contributing to the evolution of a uniquely Brazilian black metal style. These bands often blended traditional black metal with death metal elements, occult or theistic Satanism, and regional folklore, producing a sound that was both abrasive and culturally distinctive.[34]
The Brazilian black metal underground is also known for its commitment to DIY ethics, with a strong network of independent labels, zines, and cassette trading that supported the scene's growth. Despite limited mainstream exposure and occasional controversies related to ideological extremism, the community has remained active and fiercely independent. Modern Brazilian black metal continues to diversify, incorporating ambient, symphonic, and ritualistic elements while retaining the uncompromising spirit of its early pioneers. The scene remains vibrant, with both established and emerging bands receiving recognition in international black metal circles, solidifying Brazil's place in the global landscape of extreme music.[35]
Brazilian death metal scene has been an influential and enduring component of the global extreme metal movement since the late 1980s. Emerging from a fertile underground metal culture, Brazilian death metal distinguished itself through its raw intensity, aggressive sound, and often politically charged or socially conscious lyrics. Rooted in the broader thrash and black metal explosion of the 1980s, bands likeSepultura—while more thrash-oriented in their early days—helped pave the way for the heavier, darker death metal genre to flourish in Brazil.
By the early 1990s, bands such asKrisiun,Torture Squad,Claustrofobia,Rebaelliun,Obskure,Mental Horror, andNervoChaos began gaining recognition both nationally and internationally. Krisiun, in particular, became one of Brazil's most prominent death metal acts, known for their relentless speed, technical proficiency, and brutal sound. These bands often recorded under limited resources, but their commitment and intensity drew attention from major underground labels in Europe and North America.
Brazilian death metal is characterized by fast, blast-beat-driven drumming, low-tuned guitars, guttural vocals, and lyrical themes that range from anti-religious critiques to reflections on war, death, and societal decay. Despite facing challenges such as limited infrastructure and support for extreme music, the scene has remained active and innovative. Independent festivals, zines, and small labels have played a crucial role in sustaining the community. Over the decades, the Brazilian death metal scene has continued to evolve, incorporating elements from other subgenres and embracing new technologies without losing its core identity. Today, it remains a respected and influential force within the global death metal community, with both veteran and emerging bands maintaining the country's legacy of sonic extremity. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Brazilian death metal bands with women in their lineups. Notable examples includeNervosa, which gained significant recognition after their performance atRock in Rio in 2019, andCrypta, a band formed by former members ofNervosa that has also garnered international acclaim. Both bands have helped to expand the visibility of women in extreme metal.Nervosa was invited to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2020, but the event was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[36][37] The Brazilian death metal scene is active across all regions of the country, with a particularly strong presence in theNortheast. This region is home to notable bands such asHeadhunter D.C.,Escarnium,Decomposed God,Infested Blood,Torment the Skies,Pandemmy,Burning Torment,Infectos andKrenak. Among them,Cangaço stands out for blending traditional death metal with elements ofBaião, a regional rhythm native to Northeast Brazil. In 2010,Cangaço won the W.O.A. Metal Battle Brazil and represented the country in the international finals at theWacken Open Air festival.[38]
Thrash metal scene in Brazil emerged in the early 1980s, influenced by the rise of the genre in the United States and Europe. Characterized by fast riffs, aggressive vocals, and social or political themes,thrash metal found fertile ground in Brazil, particularly in urban centers such as São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Rio de Janeiro.[39]
One of the most influential and pioneering thrash metal bands in Brazil isSepultura, founded in 1984 in Belo Horizonte. Initially with a sound closer to death and black metal, the band quickly adopted thrash elements, becoming an international reference and paving the way for other Brazilian bands on the global stage. The albumBeneath the Remains (1989), released by Roadrunner Records, is considered a landmark of the genre. Other important bands in the scene includeKorzus,Ratos de Porão (which blendshardcore punk andcrossover thrash),Dorsal Atlântica,Mutilator,Sarcófago (mostly associated withblack metal, but with strongthrash influences in certain phases), andVulcano. Southeast region was the main epicenter of the movement, although bands from other regions also contributed to the diversity and richness of Brazilian thrash metal.[40]
During the 1990s, with the rise ofgrunge and other alternative styles, thethrash metal scene experienced a decline in visibility but maintained a loyal fan base. In the 21st century, there was a revival of interest in the genre, with the emergence of new bands, the strengthening of independent festivals, and the reissue of classic albums alongside anniversary tours by veteran acts. Notable newer bands includeNervosa, an all-female thrash/death metal band from São Paulo formed in 2010, known for their socially conscious lyrics and international tours;Black Pantera,[41][42][43][44] acrossover thrash trio from Uberaba formed in 2014, addressing themes of racism and social injustice;Crypta, a death/thrash metal band formed in 2019 by former members of Nervosa, including bassist and vocalist Fernanda Lira and drummer Luana Dametto;[45]Eskröta, a São Paulo-based female trio founded in 2017 that mixesthrash withcrust punk andgrindcore, often delivering humorous and politically charged lyrics;[46] andSurra, a band from Santos formed in 2012 that combineshardcore punk andthrash metal with sharp critiques of Brazilian politics and society.[47][48]
Punk rock andhardcore punk scene in Brazil began to take shape in the late 1970s and early 1980s, especially in major urban centers such as São Paulo, Brasília, Porto Alegre, and Curitiba. Influenced by the British and American punk movements, Brazilian punk quickly developed unique characteristics marked by political lyrics, social critique, anti-establishment attitudes, and a strong presence in the underground cultural sphere.
In São Paulo, the neighborhood of Vila Carolina became one of the most prominent hubs for Brazilian punk, giving rise to pioneering bands such asGarotos Podres,Restos de Nada,Cólera,Inocentes andRatos de Porão.[49] These groups were instrumental in shaping both the sonic aesthetics and the ideological stance of Brazilian punk. Despite the repression of Brazil's military dictatorship (1964–1985), the movement flourished through zines, independent record labels, anarchist collectives, and self-managed venues.[50]
During the 1980s, punk and hardcore expanded to other parts of the country. In the Federal District, the punk scene intersected with the post-punk movement, with bands likeAborto Elétrico and laterPlebe Rude incorporating political themes and addressing urban alienation.[51] In Porto Alegre, bands such asOs Replicantes gained notoriety for blending punk attitude with humor and regional elements.
The 1990s saw a resurgence and diversification of Brazilian hardcore, with the emergence of straight edge movements and a growing influence of metal, melodic hardcore, and skate punk. Bands such asDead Fish,Garage Fuzz,Noção de Nada, andPoint of No Return represented a more technically skilled and socially engaged generation, often addressing themes such as veganism, anti-capitalism, and environmentalism.[52]
Despite transformations in the music industry and the digitalization of cultural consumption, punk and hardcore remain active forces in Brazilian music. The scene is still characterized by its independence, DIY ethos, and its commitment to resisting social oppression. Festivals, cultural collectives, and new bands continue to emerge across the country, preserving the legacy of punk and hardcore as powerful forms of political, cultural, and artistic expression.[53]
Emo,screamo andpost-hardcore in Brazil refer to interconnected subgenres of rock music that became especially prominent in the 2000s, emerging from underground scenes and reaching significant commercial and cultural impact. Drawing influence from both the first and second waves of American emo (such as Sunny Day Real Estate, Thursday, and My Chemical Romance), Brazilian artists added local lyrical sensibilities, Portuguese-language expression, and themes of heartbreak, existential angst, and social identity.[54][55]
The term "emo" gained mainstream popularity in Brazil through bands likeFresno,NX Zero, andGlória, which helped shape a nationally recognizable emo and post-hardcore aesthetic. These bands became known for their emotionally charged lyrics, dramatic melodies, and strong fanbases among teenagers, particularly in the 2000s. The mainstream rise of emo also intersected with fashion, internet culture, and youth identity formation.[56]
Fresno, formed in Porto Alegre in 1999, is one of the genre's most enduring acts, evolving from a classic emo sound into alternative rock and synthpop elements in the 2010s.NX Zero, originating from São Paulo, achieved massive radio success while maintaining post-hardcore influences in albums like Agora (2008) and Projeto Paralelo (2010), which featured collaborations with rap and reggae artists.[57]
In the underground scene, bands likeColligere (Curitiba),Reffer (Recife),Zander (Rio de Janeiro), andDead Fish (Vitória) played pivotal roles in shaping Brazilian post-hardcore and melodic hardcore. These bands were deeply connected with DIY ethics, independent labels like Läjä Records and Highlight Sounds, and often addressed social and political issues through aggressive yet emotional music.[58]
The Brazilian screamo scene also flourished in niche circuits, influenced by bands like Orchid and Saetia. Acts such asRhayra,Aurora Rulez! andAdorno explored cathartic vocals, chaotic structures, and poetic lyrics, often tied to anarchist or queer-feminist collectives.[59]
Grindcore andcrust punk scenes in Brazil have played a significant role in the global development of extreme music. Emerging in the late 1980s and early 1990s, these genres found fertile ground in Brazil's underground music community, especially in the urban centers of São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Porto Alegre.
Grindcore in Brazil is known for its raw intensity, politically charged lyrics, and fusion with death metal and hardcore punk. Early Brazilian grindcore acts such asROT andSubcut rapidly gained recognition in international circuits for their aggressive sound and DIY ethos.[60][61] Other foundational acts includeLobotomia,Hutt, andI Shot Cyrus, which contributed significantly to the aggressive blend of hardcore, metal, and punk.[62][63][64]
In the 2000s and 2010s, bands such asDesalmado,Test,Surra, andFacada gained prominence by combining extreme sonic violence with political messages focused on social inequality, police brutality, and systemic oppression.[65][66][67][68]
Crust punk also found a dedicated following in Brazil, with bands likeArmagedom andD.E.R. (Desastre em Rede) blending anarchist ideals with a heavy, metallic punk sound.[69][70] Other notable acts includeManger Cadavre?,Subterror,Nuclear Frost, andSocial Chaos, known for their fast tempos, d-beat rhythms, and harsh political critiques.[71][72][73][74]
Both grindcore and crust punk in Brazil are marked by their commitment to underground ethics, including independent production, community solidarity, and resistance to mainstream commercialization. Despite limited resources and media exposure, the scenes have maintained vibrant networks, often collaborating with international acts and participating in global punk festivals.[75]
Rap rock in Brazil, also known asrap'n'roll, refers to a hybrid music genre that combines elements of hip hop and rock, and has had a notable presence in Brazilian popular music since the early 1990s. Influenced by American acts such as Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys, and Limp Bizkit, the Brazilian version of rap rock developed its own identity, often incorporating funk, reggae, samba, and socially conscious lyrics that reflect urban life, inequality, and resistance.[76][77]
One of the most prominent pioneers of the genre isPlanet Hemp, formed in 1993 in Rio de Janeiro. Their fusion of hip hop, hardcore punk, and marijuana advocacy created a countercultural movement that resonated strongly with urban youth. The band also launched the solo career of rapperMarcelo D2, who continued blending samba with rap and rock influences.[78]
O Rappa, another major band in the genre, blended rap vocals with dub, rock, and reggae, tackling themes of social injustice, poverty, and police violence in songs like "Pescador de Ilusões" and "Minha Alma (A Paz Que Eu Não Quero)". Their powerful lyrics and soundscapes earned them both critical and commercial success.[79]
In the early 2000s, bands such asCharlie Brown Jr. andDetonautas Roque Clube brought rap rock to mainstream Brazilian audiences. Charlie Brown Jr., from Santos (São Paulo), is particularly iconic for its fusion of skate punk, rap, reggae, and hardcore, as well as its reflections on youth, love, and rebellion.[54]
Other important contributors includePavilhão 9, known for mixing rap with heavy guitars and addressing themes of violence and exclusion in São Paulo's periphery, and Strike, who combined pop punk with rap influences. Rap rock continues to influence new artists in Brazil's urban and independent scenes, especially as boundaries between musical genres become increasingly fluid in the digital age.[80]
Manguebeat (also spelledmangue bit) is a Brazilian cultural and musical movement that originated in Recife, Pernambuco, in the early 1990s. It combines traditional regional rhythms such as maracatu, coco, and ciranda with elements of rock, punk, funk, hip hop, and electronic music. The movement was spearheaded by bands such asChico Science & Nação Zumbi andMundo Livre S/A, and quickly gained national and international recognition.[81][82]
Manguebeat arose as a reaction to the socio-economic stagnation and cultural isolation of Recife at the time. Its creators proposed a "mangue" (mangrove) metaphor, representing the rich and organic potential of local culture, connected via "antennas" to the global world. This vision was outlined in the 1992 manifestoCaranguejos com Cérebro ("Crabs with Brains"), which called for cultural innovation rooted in local identity and open to global influences.[83][84]
The movement's sound was characterized by heavy percussion, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, electric guitars, and socially conscious lyrics addressing issues such as inequality, urban decay, and cultural resistance. Manguebeat played a crucial role in revitalizing Recife's music scene and brought renewed attention to Northeast Brazil as a hub of creativity and political expression in music.[85]
Although the sudden death of Chico Science in 1997 was a major blow to the movement, its legacy continues through bands like Nação Zumbi and a broad influence on contemporary Brazilian music. Manguebeat remains a symbol of cultural fusion, innovation, and resistance, and is considered one of the most important musical movements in Brazil sinceTropicália.[86]
Samba rock, also known assambalanço, is a Brazilian music genre and dance style that emerged in São Paulo during the 1960s. It is a fusion of samba, a traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythm, with elements of American rock and roll, soul, and funk. Characterized by its upbeat tempo and syncopated rhythms, samba rock reflects the cultural blending that occurred in Brazil's urban centers during the mid-20th century.[82][21]
The genre was heavily influenced by the popularity of African-American music among Afro-Brazilian youth. Artists such asJorge Ben Jor,Tim Maia, andBebeto played a crucial role in popularizing samba rock by combining samba grooves with electric guitar riffs, brass sections, and the smooth, danceable aesthetics of soul and funk music.[87]
As a dance, samba rock is typically performed in pairs and is known for its dynamic, improvisational style. It incorporates intricate footwork, spins, and fluid movements, drawing inspiration from both traditional samba partner dances and American swing dancing. The dance has remained popular in São Paulo's Black communities and continues to be celebrated in dance halls, festivals, and cultural gatherings.[88]
In recent decades, samba rock has experienced a resurgence, especially through dance competitions and social media platforms that highlight its heritage and contemporary appeal. It is considered a symbol of Afro-Brazilian identity and creativity, representing the spirit of cultural resistance and innovation.[89]
Música sertaneja or Sertanejo is a term for Braziliancountry music. It originally referred to music originating amongSertão and musicacaipira. (Caipira music appeared in the state ofSão Paulo, and some the regions ofMato Grosso do Sul,Goiás,Minas Gerais,Paraná andMato Grosso. Musical rhythm is very spread out in the Southeastern and southern regions of Brazil.)
The genre is extremely famous in the country, having as some of its greatest exponentsChitãozinho & Xororó,Leandro e Leonardo,Zeze Di Camargo e Luciano,Chrystian & Ralf [pt],João Paulo & Daniel [pt] andSérgio Reis. Additionally, over the past few years, artists such asJorge & Mateus andMarília Mendonça have been on the rise.
Northeastern music is a generic term for any popular music from the large region of Northeastern Brazil, including both coastal and inland areas. Rhythms are slower and are derived from guitars instead of percussion instruments like in the rest of Brazil—in this region, African rhythms and Portuguese melodies combined to formmaracatu andforró. Most influentially, the area around the states ofPernambuco and its neighboring states.
Southern music, orBrazilian gaucho music (Portuguese:Música gaúcha) is a general term used for the music originally from theRio Grande do Sul state, inSouthern Brazil. Some of the most famous musicians of this genre areTeixeirinha,Gaúcho da Fronteira [pt],Renato Borghetti,Yamandu Costa,Jayme Caetano Braun andLuiz Marenco, among others.
In the latter part of the 1960s, a group of black Bahians began dressing asNative Americans during the Salvadoran Carnaval, identifying with their shared struggles through history. These groups includedComanches do Pelô andApaches de Tororó and were known for a forceful and powerful style of percussion, and frequent violent encounters with the police. Starting in 1974, a group of black Bahians calledIlê Aiyê became prominent, identifying with theYoruba people of West Africa. Along with a policy of loosening restrictions by the Brazilian government, Ilê Aiyê's sound and message spread to groups likeGrupo Cultural do Olodum, who established community centers and other philanthropic efforts.
Frevo is a style of music fromOlinda andRecife. Frevo bands always play during the Carnival.
Sambass is a fusion of samba andDrum & Bass. The most famous sambass musicians areDJ Marky andDJ Patife whose hitSambassim might be the most known sambass track.
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Funk carioca is a type of dance music from Rio de Janeiro, derived from and was until the late 1990s, superficially similar toMiami bass. In Rio it is most often simply known as funk, although it is very different musically from whatfunk means in most other places and contexts. Like other types of hip-hop, funk carioca lifts heavily from samples such as international rips or from previous funk music. Many popular funk songs sampled music from the filmRocky.[90] Funk was popularized in Rio's favelas in the 1980s, with songs likeFeira de Acari byMc Batata, withFuracão 2000,Mc Marlboro and Brazilian versions offreestyle songs by the singerLatino, later turning more aggressive in the 1990s, with precarious lyrics and several MCs with direct links with drug trafficking.[91] Subgenres derived from funk carioca includefunk melody,funk ostentação,proibidão, andrasteirinha.
Singers such asLudmilla andAnitta mixed funk carioca with pop andreggaeton, and their success propelled other funk carioca singers to adopt pop music in their repertoire. Thus a new generation of singers emerged, among themValesca Popozuda,MC Biel andMelody. The expansion of the genre in Brazil prompted singers of other styles to join the movement, such asLuan Santana,Banda Vingadora,Pabllo Vittar, Jhama,Gaby Amarantos, andTiago Iorc.
InSão Paulo and other places in the south of Brazil, in more urban areas,hip-hop music is very popular. They dress similarly to American rappers.[92]
Brazilian hip-hop is heavily associated with racial and economic issues in the country, where a lot ofAfro-Brazilians live in economically disadvantaged communities, known in Brazil asfavelas.São Paulo is where hip-hop began in the country, but it soon spread all over Brazil, and today, almost every big Brazilian city, includingRio de Janeiro,Salvador,Curitiba,Porto Alegre,Belo Horizonte,Recife andBrasília, has a hip hop scene. São Paulo has gained a strong, underground Brazilian rap scene since its emergence in the late 1980s with many independent labels forming for young rappers to establish themselves on.[93]
Brazilian bass is a subgenre of house that originated as a derivation of mainstreamdeep house music of early 2010s, fused withtech house elements and some minimalistic influences frombass house. The tempo typically range from 120 to 125 bpm. The genre is characterized by distinguishable deep punchy basslines, often making use of low-pitched and filtering effects. The genre was created in Brasília around the mid-2010s, but its national and international repercussion only happened in 2016 with DJsAlok, Bruno Martini and Sevenn.[94]
Electronic music in Brazil started in the 1980s, when the genre of music was getting popular in the world. The first event involving the genre of music in Brazil was in 1988 inSão Paulo, withDJ Mau Mau. In the 1990s, the genre was getting bigger in Brazil and world, some of the most famousdisk jockeys wereDJ Marky andDJ Patife. In the 2000s,dubstep started getting famous in Brazil. Brazil has a lot of famous electronic music musicians, likeAlok,Kasino, andVintage Culture.[95]
Brazilian phonk is a subgenre of phonk that combines elements of funk carioca anddrift phonk, creating a distinct and aggressive sound, with lyrics that address topics such as violence, drugs, sex and ostentation. Both VanMilli andMC Binn are two of the heavy-hitters in the genre.[96] The term “Brazilian phonk” was popularized by the Norwegian producer William Rød, better known as Slowboy.
B-pop (short for the EnglishBrazilian pop) orBrazilian pop music is amusical genre originating inBrazil, sung inPortuguese and sometimesEnglish.[97] The term B-pop first appeared in the Brazilian press to refer to groups such asChamps, one of the B-pop groups that was inspired byK-pop (Korean pop music).[98]
However, the existence of Brazilian pop precedes the existence of groups inspired by K-pop, as there have already been artists and groups in the country who defined the genre of their music as pop (in this case inspired more by pop in several generations, such asAs Frenéticas,Lulu Santos,Fernanda Abreu,Kelly Key,KLB,Rouge,Sandy & Junior.[99]
LGBTQ music in Brazil has played a significant role in both the cultural and political landscape of the country. Over the decades, openly LGBTQ artists have used music as a form of expression, resistance, and visibility, challenging societal norms and advocating for greater acceptance and rights.
The roots of LGBTQ representation in Brazilian music can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s, a period marked by military dictatorship and censorship. Despite the risks, artists likeNey Matogrosso gained national attention for their flamboyant performances and androgynous appearance. As the lead singer of theSecos & Molhados band and later as a solo artist, Matogrosso defied gender expectations and became a cultural icon.[100][101] andAngela Ro Ro Her debut album was voted byRolling Stone Brazil one of thegreatest Brazilian albums of all time.[102]She was one of the first lesbian singers in Brazil to reveal herself as a lesbian.[103]
From the 2000s onward, the Brazilian music scene has seen a growing number of LGBTQ artists asserting their identities through a variety of drag queens.Ana Carolina, Carolinacame out inVeja magazine asbisexual[104] in 2005, creating much debate and attracting new fans. She released her 6th album,Dois Quartos, in 2006. The album contained 2 CDs, the 1st called 'Quarto' and the 2nd called 'Quartinho'. Artists such asPabllo Vittar, one of the most internationally recognized Brazilian drag queens, have achieved widespread success while openly addressing LGBTQ issues in their work.[105][106] andGloria Groove, a drag queen, singer, and rapper, is another prominent LGBTQ artist who blends pop, hip-hop, and R&B influences. Known for her powerful vocals and strong visual identity, she has achieved both critical and commercial success in Brazil. Her lyrics often explore themes of gender identity, empowerment, and LGBTQ pride. Groove has also played an important role in bringing drag performance into the mainstream Brazilian music industry.[107][108]
Other notable contemporary LGBTQ artists includeLinn da Quebrada, a transgender singer and performer whose work critiques cisnormativity and social inequality, andJohnny Hooker, who merges MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) with pop and rock influences while embracing a fluid gender identity.[109][110]
LGBTQ musicians in Brazil have contributed not only to the country's diverse musical heritage but also to broader conversations about gender, sexuality, and human rights. Their presence in the music industry has helped foster greater visibility and empowerment for LGBTQ communities, especially among youth and marginalized groups.[111]
While challenges such as discrimination and limited mainstream support persist, LGBTQ artists in Brazil continue to break barriers and reshape the cultural landscape, both nationally and internationally.
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On 1999'sCircus of Death, Brazil's second most famous metal band try again to emerge from beneath the shadow of Sepultura with their neo-prog thrash.
Arriving in stores in 1991, the LP's [the band's third album,Disturbing the Noise] "ultra-speed" style cemented Attomica's standing as one of Brazil's top thrash acts; the promo clip for single "Deathraiser" was showcased on several TV video shows, including the Brazilian MTV affiliate.
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