Recommended Brazilian artists: Popular international singers and singer-songwriters

RomariaRegina

Elis Regina – Romaria (Pilgrimage)

From the 1960s to the 1970s, she was Brazil’s most popular diva.

At the time, she served as a bridge between the waning bossa nova and the emerging MPB.

However, in 1982, at the young age of 36, she died due to alcoholism and drug addiction.

Olha pro ceuEmicida

Olha pro ceu feat. Emicida / TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA

Stylish, cutting-edge hip-hop.

Singing intellectual, socially conscious messages, he’s recognized as a charismatic vocalist with real talent.

He has performed with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, presenting “Olha pro Céu,” a cover of “Ue o Muite Arukou” (“Sukiyaki”).

It’s a song familiar to Japanese listeners, making him feel more relatable and close.

DepoisMarisa Monte

Marisa Monte – Depois

Suddenly, but have you heard of a music genre called MPB? MPB stands for Música Popular Brasileira, meaning Brazilian popular music.

Marisa Monte is an artist known for presenting MPB with avant-garde arrangements, and she’s popular in Brazil as one of its modern artists.

If you want to experience high-level musicianship, why not start by listening to her songs?

A OriginalNanda Loren

A Original (Clipe Oficial) :: Nanda Loren

Nanda Loren is a Brazilian singer-songwriter who has gained popularity with a sound centered on pop punk, pop rock, and rap rock.

Recently, she has also taken on genres like electro-pop, further broadening her musical range and boosting her appeal.

Above all, her greatest charm is her catchiness.

While her music isn’t uniquely Brazilian, that very quality makes it as easy to listen to as English-language pop, making her one of the best entry points for discovering Brazilian music.

Inútil PaisagemWANDA SA

Wanda Sa Inútil Paisagem

Wanda de Sá, who was discovered by Roberto Menescal and made her debut, delivered beautiful bossa nova—true classics—released in the midst of the military regime.

Many people at the time were surely captivated by her husky voice.

No matter how many times you listen, it feels as if you can hear the hidden messages in her singing that never grows old.

ImperfeitosÍcaro e Gilmar

Ícaro e Gilmar – Imperfeitos – DVD Ao Vivo em Campo Grande

Ícaro & Gilmar are one of the most popular duos in Brazil.

They’re a duo whose sound is rooted in sertanejo, a style born in Brazil’s countryside—roughly akin to country music in the United States.

While many country duos tend to have sweet, gentle vocals, they’re known for a powerful, belting vocal style.

That contrast between romantic songs and strong vocals creates a compelling gap—in the best way—so be sure to give them a listen.

DindiSYLVIA TELLES

Sylvia Telles – Dindi (1960)

A songstress with an elegant voice who supported the bossa nova scene.

“Dindi,” which the famed Antônio Carlos Jobim—known for “The Girl from Ipanema” and once a lover of João Gilberto—dedicated to her, is a masterpiece.

By the way, Dindi was her nickname.

She passed away at the age of 32 in an unfortunate accident.