RAG MusicWorld Music
Music of a wonderful world

Recommended Brazilian artists: Popular international singers and singer-songwriters

This might be sudden, but when you hear “Brazilian music,” what kind of songs come to mind?

I imagine many of you think of bossa nova or samba, right?

Those genres are certainly popular in Brazil, but in fact, reggaeton-style tracks are also hugely popular.

And not just any reggaeton—they often incorporate elements of samba.

What’s more, Black music like R&B and slow jams has evolved in its own unique way there, so be sure to read to the end!

Recommended artists from Brazil: Popular international singers and singer-songwriters (61–70)

DindiSYLVIA TELLES

Sylvia Telles – Dindi (1960)
DindiSYLVIA TELLES

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.

Report a problem

CotidianoChico Buarque

With the establishment of the military regime, Brazilian music began to change.

Chico Buarque was musically traditional, but his strongly message-driven lyrics were deemed anti-establishment, and he spent a year in exile in Italy.

The creativity born in an era deprived of freedom of expression has been passed down into today’s Brazilian music.

Report a problem

Brigas nunca maisJoão Gilberto

He is one of the figures who established bossa nova together with Antônio Carlos Jobim and is called the “God of Bossa Nova.” He also created a new playing style called batida, which expresses samba rhythms using only the guitar.

In 1965, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance.

Report a problem

ExtraVANESSA MORENO & FI MAROSTICA

Vanessa Moreno e Fi Maróstica – Extra (Gilberto Gil)
ExtraVANESSA MORENO & FI MAROSTICA

A unit featuring a female vocalist and a male bassist.

Vanessa’s clear, translucent voice is soothing, and while the music is influenced by bossa nova, it evolves by incorporating elements from other genres.

Since it’s an arrangement of traditional bossa nova, it feels approachable and easy to listen to.

Report a problem

CatupiryOno Risa

A bossa nova singer born in Brazil.

She came to Japan at the age of 10, and in recognition of her efforts to promote Brazilian music in Japan, she was awarded the National Order of the Southern Cross (Ordem de Rio Branco) by the Brazilian government in 2013.

Her clear, translucent voice conveys gentleness and warmth in both Portuguese and Japanese.

Report a problem

In conclusion

This time, I introduced Brazilian artists mainly from genres like reggaeton, R&B, slow jams, and hip-hop, and what stood out was that none of them followed the most mainstream path—each had a solid foundation in Brazil’s traditional music.

On Ragu Music, we also feature music from lesser-known countries in other articles, so be sure to check those out too!