Gilberto Gil

Gilberto Gil was born in Salvador, Bahia in 1942, and the Afro-Brazilian culture of that region shaped his music from the start. In the 1960s, he became a central figure in Brazil's Tropicalismo movement, which mixed traditional Brazilian sounds with rock and pop influences. His political views during that time led to his arrest in 1969 alongside Caetano Veloso, and he spent part of the early 1970s in exile in London.

After returning to Brazil in 1979, Gil continued recording and performing while also serving as the country's Minister of Culture from 2003 to 2008. Songs like 'Eu Vim da Bahia' and 'Eu Só Quero Um Xodó' reflect his connection to his home state, while his 1973 album 'Expresso 2222' captured his blend of Brazilian rhythms with international styles. He has recorded dozens of albums over the decades, working with musicians like his son Bem Gil and guitarist Liminha.

Gil's music often carries social and political themes, though he has faced criticism for some of his positions. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 but continued performing afterward. His catalog includes songs ranging from the reflective 'A Morte' to the more playful 'O Bom Jogador', all grounded in the musical traditions he grew up with in Bahia.