Brazil has a Vibrant Culture

Last update: 13/10/2024 – Music in Brazil is as diverse as its population. From Samba, Bossa Nova, Sertaneja, Axé, Pagode to Funk. There is a mixture of styles and sounds that make Brazil a unique paradise for musicians. The country has also a vibrant culture with many festivities from religious celebrations to Carnival, Oktoberfest and many more. And do not miss a soccer game in the country of Pelé!

Music

A journey through the colorful Brazilian music with its diverse sounds and rhythms reflects a rich and diverse cultural heritage. From the infectious beats of Samba to the soothing melodies of Bossa Nova, Brazilian music has something for everyone. Samba is one of Brazil's most iconic music styles, originating from African rhythms brought by enslaved peoples. Its pulsating drum beats and energetic dance moves have made it a symbol of Brazil's vibrant culture. Samba has evolved over time and given birth to various sub−genres, such as samba−enredo, pagode, and samba−reggae.

Bossa Nova emerged in the late 1950s combining elements of samba with American jazz traditions. "The Girl From Ipanema" written by songwriter Antônio Carlos Jobim and performed by singer Astrud Gilberto, guitarist João Gilberto, and saxophonist Stan Getz is the flagship song of the Bossa Nova music in Brazil. The Bossa Nova instrumentation is varied and purposely simple, limited to a few rhythm instruments such as a guitar, berimbau (musical bow), drum, or a single−note piano accompaniment.

Tropicalismo or Tropicália is an avant−garde movement from the late 1960s that blended traditional Brazilian music with elements of rock, psychedelia, and electronic music. This experimental genre was pioneered by artists like Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Os Mutantes, an influential Brazilian Rock Band who sought to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of musical expression.

Funk Carioca , also known as the hip−hop sub−genre, traces many musical genres ranging from Brazilian samba to European techno. It is also known as baile funk or favela funk and originated in Rio de Janeiro's favelas in the 1980s. It is characterized by heavy bass lines, rapping, and sexually explicit lyrics. This high−energy street music has gained mainstream popularity thanks to the collaboration of Anitta working with some reputable performers like Major Lazer and J Balvin.

Festivities

Brazil is a culturally rich country with lots of traditions and folklore. Most of these festivities are worldwide known and the main traditional Brazilian festivals are spread all around Brazil the whole year long. The biggest festival is Carnival (or Carnaval) that happens 40 days before Easter and the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro is very popular worldwide. There are two ways to party in the city during this season either by participating in one of the carnival street parties ('blocos de carnaval') which are spread all over the city gathering millions of people who like to dance, sing and have fun. Those street parties already start before the Carnival season and continue after the Carnival week. It is important to choose a different costume each day and buy lots of glitters to use. These 'blocos' can be small, with fewer than 100 people, but they can also be huge, with more than 1 million people following them. The other way to enjoy Carnival in Rio is to watch the Samba Schools' parade in the Sambódrome. The Carnival kicks off with the opening ceremony on Friday where King Momo is crowned by Rio's Mayor. On the opening night members from the Access Group debut. Each samba school has 80 minutes to parade down the strip at the Sambódrome and the parade starts at 10 pm and goes around until 4 am. The following day, the second batch of samba schools parade as well.These schools in the Access Group fight for a place on the Elite Group of Carnaval, which parades the following days. The Elite Group, called 'Grupo Especial', parades on Sunday and Monday. It is a great show with lots of samba, costumes, drumming wings and much more. Their incredible allegorical floats can reach 13 meters high and 60 meters in length. The winner of the Carnival is announced on the afternoon of Ash Wednesday and the top 6 schools of the Elite Group parade once again in the Sambadrome the following Saturday to celebrate their achievement.

While samba is the main music of Carnival in Rio, things are a bit different in Salvador. The street parties are still the main way to celebrate Carnival, but the real star here is the Axé Music, with its famous singers and bands bringing their 'Trio Elétrico' to the streets. 'Trio Elétrico' is a popular type of sound truck on top of which an electric band plays. In Salvador, rather than using different costumes, people wear 'abadá', a special T−shirt used as a ticket to enjoy Carnival closer to the trucks. However, there are two other ways to enjoy Carnival in Salvador. You can join the 'pipoca', people who didn't buy the T−shirt but follow the truck outside of their security rope. And also the 'camarotes' or private booths set up in nearby buildings where you see all the street parties while comfortably enjoying a VIP space with food, drinks, and private attractions. Carnival in Salvador starts on a Thursday and goes around until Ash Wednesday.

Brazil is a huge country with different cultures and there are many other festivities and festivals all around Brazil. Rock in Rio is one of the biggest music festivals in the world. Rock in Rio happens every 2 years in Rio de Janeiro − usually in October. There is also an alternate Rock in Rio that takes place in Lisbon, Portugal . In 2023 a new 'sister festival' The Town was held in São Paulo. This newest event was created by the founders of Rock in Rio. The Oktoberfest of Blumenau in the South of Brazil is considered the biggest German festival in the Americas. There are many religious festivals as well such as the Santa Bárbara Festival on December 4th which is held in Pelourinho, Salvador de Bahia, in honor of the godmother of the Fire Department. Santa Bárbara is also an important figure in Candomblé, where she is known as Iansã, the orixá of lightning and storms. This festival starts with a religious service in the main square of Pelourinho, the historical town of Salvador de Bahia. It is followed by a short procession from the Largo do Pelourinho square to the main fire department in the nearby neighborhood of Barroquinha to provide an offering for a safe year. Later in the day you can enjoy traditional Candomblé food, such as acarajé (food of Iensã) and attend one of the music festivities and dance parties. Do not forget to wear red and white on this special day as those are the traditional colors of both Santa Bárbara and Iansã and most festival goers dress accordingly.

Soccer

No trip to Rio de Janeiro would be complete without a visit to the Maracanã Stadium, officially named 'Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho.' The stadium was opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup, in which Brazil was beaten 2−1 by Uruguay in the deciding game. The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years, but it still retains its historic charm. The Maracanã was partially rebuilt in preparation for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the 2014 World Cup , for which it hosted several matches, including the final. It also served as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, with the main track and field events taking place at the Estádio Olímpico. The stadium was also chosen to host the 2020 and 2023 Copa Libertadores finals.

You can take a guided tour at the stadium to learn more about its history and see some of the behind−the−scenes areas that are usually off−limits to the public. If you're lucky enough to be in Rio de Janeiro during the football season, make sure to attend a match. Rio is home to several top football teams, including Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo, and Vasco da Gama . Each team has a passionate fan base, and attending a match is an unforgettable experience such as the local Fla−Flu derby. The Football Museum, located inside the Maracanã Stadium, is a must−visit for any football fan as it has a vast collection of football memorabilia, including jerseys, trophies, and photographs. You can learn about the history of Brazilian football, the iconic players who have played for the national team, and the importance of football to Brazilian culture.