A roundup of great masterpieces and popular songs of Brazilian music

Tudo O Que Você Podia SerMilton Nascimento

Tudo O Que Você Podia Ser

Milton Nascimento is one of the great singers who laid the foundations of Brazilian music.

Building on MPB, he fused diverse styles such as jazz and rock, and is celebrated in Brazil as a national artist.

Among his works, I especially recommend the opening track of the classic album Clube da Esquina, which he created with Lô Borges in March 1972.

The song seems to sing of the dreams and hopes that young people must have held under the military regime, as well as the possibilities that were lost.

You can fully savor the gradually layered, dreamlike sounds that grow from the quiet resonance of the guitar, along with Milton’s clear, translucent falsetto.

Why not listen when you want to touch the soul of Brazil?

Preta pretinhaNovos Baianos

Novos Baianos – Preta pretinha

Novos Baianos, the group that led Brazil’s counterculture movement.

Centered on rock while fusing a wide range of traditional styles like samba and bossa nova, they were pivotal figures who showed new possibilities for MPB.

The piece I’m introducing today is a track from their 1972 album Acabou Chorare.

This historic masterpiece has even been ranked number one on all-time best Brazilian music lists.

Inspired by the lyricist’s real-life experience of heartbreak, the song tells a sweet yet bittersweet story, while its acoustic ensemble exudes a certain warmth—a curious charm.

Even among their music, which sang of joy in a melancholy era, this track feels especially tender, as if gently attuned to the subtleties of the human heart.

CarolinaSeu Jorge

Seu Jorge – Carolina (Ao Vivo)

Seu Jorge, a Brazilian artist also known for his role in the film City of God, has won popularity with an urban sound that blends soul and funk atop a foundation of samba and MPB.

The song that opened up his career is a classic named after a woman.

In it, his hallmark deep, velvety baritone seems to dance as if expressing the thrill of love.

The sophisticated band sound is easy on the ears and naturally puts listeners in a cheerful mood.

The track appears on his debut album, Samba Esporte Fino, produced in Brazil in 2001, which became a stepping stone to his international success.

If you want to explore modern, stylish Brazilian music, this is the perfect place to start.

ShimbalaiêMaria Gadú

Maria Gadú – “Shimbalaiê” – [clipe oficial]

Maria Gadú is a talent who continually refreshes the scene with a rich range of musical styles rooted in MPB.

She can be considered a leading figure in contemporary Brazilian music, impressing even masters like Caetano Veloso.

The piece featured here is the song that marks the origin of her career, which she is said to have composed at the age of ten.

The words riding on a melody that came to her by the seaside at dusk are invented, without semantic meaning.

Like a magical incantation that only a child could hum, it gently loosens the listener’s heart.

Her deep, resonant voice and the acoustic textures that trace a maracatu rhythm are irresistibly soothing.

Released as a single from her debut album “Maria Gadú,” it was featured in the TV drama “Viver a Vida” and even reached number one on the charts in Italy in the summer of 2011.

It’s a classic that perfectly suits those moments when you want to sink into a nostalgic mood.

Panis et CircencisOs Mutantes

Panis Et Circenses

Formed in São Paulo in the late 1960s, Os Mutantes is an innovative band that left a lasting mark on the history of Brazilian music.

As a central force in the Tropicália movement, their fusion of psychedelic rock and Brazilian music became a symbol of resistance against the military regime of the time.

The track included on their 1968 album “Os Mutantes” can be considered one of their defining songs.

Characterized by psychedelic sounds and satirical lyrics, it skillfully conveys criticism of political oppression.

The title, meaning “bread and circuses,” alludes to the control tactics of ancient Rome and satirizes society’s superficial contentment and indifference.

As a revolutionary piece that expresses Brazil’s cultural resistance through music, it continues to be loved by many fans to this day.

DetalhesRoberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos – Detalhes (Vídeo Ao Vivo)

The song released in April 1971 by Roberto Carlos, known as the “King” of Brazil, sings about the “little details” that awaken memories of a lost love.

Even when one tries to forget a former lover, small moments and things bring those memories back, conveying a poignant feeling.

Influenced by samba-canção and bossa nova, his music mainly belongs to the romantic genre and resonates strongly with audiences through deep emotional expression.

This song, which solidified his status as the king of Brazilian music, is a significant work in Latin American music.

Its universal message—reminding us of the importance of small moments in love—has resonated with many listeners and continues to be cherished across generations.

Gostava Tanto De VocêTim Maia

Gostava Tanto De Você

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tim Maia is a great artist known for his innovative music that fused soul and funk with samba.

Released in 1973, this work is a moving ballad that sings of deep feelings for a lost love.

It features a soulful melody and emotionally rich lyrics, and is widely cherished as a classic that resonates with many listeners.

It was included on his self-titled album released the same year and became so popular that it has been covered numerous times both in Brazil and abroad.

It has also been embraced by a wide audience, having been used on the soundtrack of the TV drama “Viver a Vida.” This is a recommended song for when you want to heal the pain of heartbreak or reflect on your feelings for someone special.