Caetano Veloso is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and political activist. He is one of the most influential and prolific figures in Brazilian popular music, and was an integral part of the Tropicália movement of the 1960s.
Veloso was born in Santo Amaro da Purificação, Bahia, Brazil, on August 7, 1942. He was raised in a family of writers, poets, and musicians, and began writing songs at the age of nine. He attended the University of Bahia, where he studied law, but dropped out to pursue a career in music.
In 1965, Veloso, along with fellow musician Gilberto Gil, released the influential album “Domingo no Parque,” which marked the beginning of the Tropicália movement. This style of music blended Brazilian folk and pop with avant-garde and psychedelic influences. The album was a major success, and soon Veloso and Gil were traveling the world, performing their music to international audiences.
In the 1970s, Veloso continued to experiment with different musical styles, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and reggae into his work. He also began to explore more overtly political themes in his lyrics and became an outspoken critic of the Brazilian military dictatorship.
In the 1980s, Veloso returned to his native Bahia and recorded several albums that reflected his roots in Brazilian folk and popular music. He also collaborated with artists from around the world, including David Byrne, David Gilmour, and Bjork.
In the 1990s, Veloso released a series of critically acclaimed albums and earned several awards, including two Latin Grammys and one Grammy for his album “Livro” in 1997. He also wrote two books of poetry and continued to be an active political figure in Brazil, campaigning for social justice and freedom of expression.
Today, Veloso continues to produce music and collaborate with other artists, including his daughter, the singer-songwriter Moreno Veloso. He is considered one of the most important figures in Brazilian music and a major influence on the Brazilian music scene. His commitment to creating music that is both socially and aesthetically relevant has earned him a place in the pantheon of Brazilian popular music.
