Gilberto Gil

Música popular brasileira, Musical Artist

1942 –

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Who is Gilberto Gil?

Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira, better known as Gilberto Gil, is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Brazil's Minister of Culture in the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Gil's musical style incorporates an eclectic range of influences, including Rock music, Brazilian genres including samba, African music, and reggae.

Gil started to play music as a child and was still a teenager when he joined his first band. He began his career as a bossa nova musician, and then grew to write songs that reflected a focus on political awareness and social activism. He was a key figure in the Música Popular Brasileira and tropicália movements of the 1960s, alongside artists such as longtime collaborator Caetano Veloso. The Brazilian military regime that took power in 1964 saw both Gil and Veloso as a threat, and the two were held for nine months in 1969 before they were told to leave the country. Gil moved to London, but returned to state of Bahia in 1972 and continued his musical career, as well as working as a politician and environmental advocate.

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Born
Jun 26, 1942
Salvador
Also known as
  • Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira
Parents
Siblings
Spouses
Children
Religion
  • Agnosticism
Nationality
  • Brazil
  • Italy
Profession
Education
  • Universidade Federal da Bahia
Lived in
  • Bahia

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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