Brazilian R&B
Located in 2 routes
Brazilian soul and rhythm-and-blues, from 1970s samba-soul to contemporary neo-soul and trap-soul: warm, gospel-tinged vocals over groove-based production — funky basslines and horns in the classic era, hazy keys, programmed drums and 808s in the modern one — all inflected with samba, bossa and Afro-Brazilian rhythm. Tempos are mostly mid-tempo and sensual; the singing prizes soulful phrasing and emotional intimacy. It fuses the American R&B lineage with distinctly Brazilian harmony and swing.
History
Brazilian soul began with the 'Black Rio' movement and Tim Maia, whose early-1970s records fused American soul with samba and Portuguese lyrics; Tim Maia, Ed Motta and Sandra de Sá built a homegrown R&B tradition through the 1980s. After decades in the margins, a vibrant new wave surged in the 2010s as Afro-Brazilian artists — Liniker, IZA, Luedji Luna, Xênia França — brought neo-soul, R&B and trap-soul to the mainstream with acclaim and chart success, IZA's 'Pesadão' among the breakout hits. Contemporary Brazilian R&B is now a prominent, identity-affirming strand of the country's pop.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- Chris McGowan & Ricardo Pessanha, 'The Brazilian Sound'
- Pitchfork / NPR features on Tim Maia and Black Rio
- Rolling Stone Brasil, coverage of Liniker, IZA and Luedji Luna