Gilberto Gil

One of the most important and influential figures in not just music but Brazilian culture, Gilberto Gil revolutionized Brazilian music by blending traditional genres with global influences. His career, which began in the early 60s, helped define the Tropicália movement and reshaped the trajectory of Latin music. His boundless career spans more than six decades and includes more than 60 albums. Among his most beloved songs are “Vamos Fugir,” “Aquele Abraco,” “Toda Menina Baiana,” “Andar com Fé,” “Palco,” “Realce,” and dozens of others that have become woven into Brazil’s cultural fabric. His work has earned him two Grammy Awards, nine Latin Grammy Awards, and in 2005, he was the first Latin American recipient of the prestigious Polar Music Prize. Gil is also highly respected internationally, having collaborated with and earned the admiration of icons such as George Harrison, Stevie Wonder, and Sting. He recorded a Brazilian version of “No Woman, No Cry” and is widely regarded as a pioneer in introducing reggae to Brazil. Jimmy Cliff toured Brazil alongside Gil, and Gil recorded in Jamaica with The Wailers, producing a song that became a major international success, which further cemented his role as a bridge between Brazilian music and the global stage. In 2025, at 83 years of age, the genre-bending artist – who is considered one of Brazil’s greatest composers – announced his farewell tour performing across South America, Europe and the States. In an interview with the New York Times to discuss his farewell tour, Gil recalled a performance by Bob Dylan saying “That calmness he has onstage, without many exuberant gestures. That’s what I wanted to soak up and apply to my own performance.” The Times then noted. “And through the years, whether his image was as an inciter of youth or an insightful philosopher, he did. Even as Gil stood onstage in São Paulo this April on his farewell tour, it was the eloquence of his words and the memories his music evoked that captivated 40,000 fans.” Fans will continue to have a chance to celebrate Gil’s legacy as he continues his farewell tour, Tempo Rei, through 2026 which will include a headlining performance at Rock in Rio.