We touch down Brazil-the fifth largest country in the world where music is said to play a significant role in the daily life the people as if otherwise in this part of world (that was just me being sarcastic though). Apparently we are going to be speaking some Portuguese and may be some Spanish languages on the show today. Before we get fully into it, some facts here:
Brazilian music is an Afro-European fusion largely brought about by Portuguese in Brazil. Dominant language in Brazil is Portuguese not Spanish. Brazilian popular music began with the samba in the late 19th century. For ardent lover of Brazilian music, the genre goes beyond Samba and Nova, there are popular genres such as Lundu and Maxixe, Choro, Baiao and Forro, MPB (Musica Popular Brasilera) and other forms of musical styles such as: Tropicalia, musica nordestina, repentismo, frevo, capoeira, maracatu, and afoxe etc abound in a country that loves to sing and dance.
There appears to be some similarities between the Nigerian hip-hop and that of Brazil by the way! The Brazilian rap and hip-hop movement came from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo with lyrics that represented the social inequality, crime, gangster and police brutality, and daily struggles of those that lived within poorer districts. Remember it’s all one artist on this segment with good music and a feel good time on the radio. So y’all hang in there as we explore the Brazilian music and have a feel good time on the radio with Maria Rita music – our #AOTW from Brazil with the genres MPB (Musica Popular Brasilera).
Maria Rita Mariano (best known as Maria Rita) -Brazilian singer was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 19, 1977. Maria Rita graduated in Latin American studies and communications in New York University, and worked as a journalist in a magazine for teenagers.Maria Rita began to sing professionally aged 24, even though she began to sing since she was 14.
Her first CD, ‘Maria Rita’, launched her career, with the first cut on her first album, “A Festa (The Party)”, written by Milton Nascimento, a Brazilian singer-songwriter. The CD was platinum and was a hit worldwide. After that album she became an international star. She won the 2004 Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist in the General Area. Her debut album, ‘Maria Rita’, won the Best MPB (Popular Brasilian Music) Album award of that year. Rita is pronounced “HEE-taaa”.
Maria’s been selling out shows and having hit records since her debut came out in 2003. What’s remarkable is how she has both musically and in success terms been able to emulate her parents, Elis Regina and César Camargo Mariano, music royalty in Brazil, but it does seem like it runs in the family. Her brothers Pedro Mariano and João Bôscoli have both had musical successes along the way (and there’s a bass playing brother Marcelo and producer sister Luísa too).
Her mother’s career as a renowned singer had a major influence in Maria Rita’s life as a singer-songwriter; She was always conscious of being the single daughter of a great singer. Despite having her mother’s vocal DNA, Maria Rita developed her own jazzy vocal style, influenced by singers, like among others, Ella Fitzgerald.
Awards and nominations
(Latin Grammy)
2004:
– Album of the Year – Maria Rita Nominated
– Record of the Year – A Festa Nominated
– Best New Artist Won
– Best MPB Album – Maria Rita Won.
– Best Brazilian Song – A Festa (Award Went to Milton Nascimento) Won
2006:
– Best MPB Album – Segundo Won
– Best Brazilian Song – Caminho das Águas (Award Went to Rodrigo Maranhão) Won
2008:
– Best Samba/Pagode Album – Samba Meu Won
2011:
– Record of the Year – Latinoamérica (as a feature artist) Won
2012:
– Best MPB Album – Elo Nominated
2013:
– Best MPB Album – Redescobrir Ao Vivo Won
2014:
– Best Samba/Pagode Album – Coração a Batucar Won
Amazing talent