Brazil Music Guide

Brazilians are very at home in their bodies and grow up with a strong sense of rhythm. When they are infants they’re set to dance with the adults and you’ll see 5 year olds swinging their hips perfectly in time with the beat. Music and dance is very much in their blood and the wide variety of Brazilian music styles reflect that.

Few Brazilian artists are known internationally but with a population of 170 million the stars of today have a huge following. Going out in Brazil often centres around the local dance club where live bands set everyone dancing. This is also a great way to pick up girls/boys though the steps aren’t too easy for your average stiff-hipped gringo. There are dance classes around and if you buy your partner a few drinks maybe you’ll get a local to run you through your paces. Large amounts of caiparinhas will help loosen up your steps…

The music of Brazil expresses as effectively as anything the melting pot of culture that the country represented. Jazz, rap and rock and roll all blended with the African rhythms to create a variety of Brazilian sounds. Sadly the cd’s in the stores remain beyond the reach of most Brazilians at around ten dollars each. There are, however, thriving bootleg markets and street traders who set up their wares on the pavement and sell disks for a dollar each. They lay their wares out on plastic tarps that can be gathered up in a moment when they have to run away from the police.

NEXT: Guide to Samba