Tays Calhado

Tays Calhado grew up in Itaquera, São Paulo, where Afro-Brazilian sounds were part of daily life. She sang in local choirs as a teenager, and those early experiences shaped how she approached music. Her 2017 debut single 'Das Savanas Africanas Às Savanas de Itaquera' connected the rhythms she heard around her with broader African musical traditions.

Her band includes her brother Rafael on guitar, Anderson Quevedo on percussion, and Amanda Inakay on backing vocals. They've worked together on recordings like the 2020 album 'Axé' and on stage, where their performances lean into percussive, soulful arrangements. Another track, 'Quem Quer Brincar de Boneca Neste Carnaval? Histórias Que Vão Dar o Que Falar!', shows her tendency toward longer, narrative-driven song titles.

In 2021, her song 'Terra, Mãe' drew attention for its environmental themes, with some listeners praising the message and others questioning whether music should address such topics directly. She has recorded with artists like Chico César and Seu Jorge, but most of her work centers on her own band and the blend of sounds they've developed in São Paulo.