Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist whose music connects Tropicália, samba, reggae and the sounds of Bahia, now sharing live recordings from his Tempo Rei tour.
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Gilberto’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Music
Music
Music
Music
Music
MusicOverview
- Born
- 26 June 1942 · Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Grew up
- Ituaçu, in the interior of Bahia
- Work
- Singer, songwriter and guitarist
- Breakthrough
- “Domingo no parque”, performed with Os Mutantes at the 1967 TV Record festival
- First album
- Louvação · 1967
- Public service
- Brazil’s Minister of Culture · 2003 to 2008
Mini bio
How it started.
Gil grew up in Ituaçu, Bahia, and began on accordion in the 1950s, inspired by Luiz Gonzaga and the radio. João Gilberto’s bossa nova helped draw him toward the guitar.
Finding his voice.
In 1967 he released Louvação and performed “Domingo no parque” with Os Mutantes at TV Record’s music festival, finishing second. Alongside Caetano Veloso and other artists, he helped build Tropicália, bringing Brazilian traditions into conversation with pop and experimentation.
Across borders.
The military dictatorship forced Gil and Caetano into exile. London added new rock and pop influences to his music. His later records ranged across samba, reggae, funk and Bahian rhythms, with albums including Expresso 2222, Refazenda, Refavela and Realce.
Music and public life.
Gil served as Brazil’s Minister of Culture from 2003 to 2008. He kept making records and collaborating, including the João Gilberto tribute Gilbertos Samba and the Caetano Veloso project Dois Amigos, Um Século de Música.
The latest chapter.
Tempo Rei began in March 2025 and closed its touring run in March 2026. Gil’s official biography says he will continue occasional performances and personal projects. The live recordings give fans another way to spend time with the show.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2026Tempo Rei - Ao Vivo, volume 2Lead artist and performer
- 2024Latin GRAMMY Sessions: “Palco”Performer with João Gomes
- 2018OK OK OKRecording artist and songwriter
- 1997QuantaSinger, guitarist, songwriter and arranger
- 1979RealceRecording artist, songwriter and arranger
- 1967LouvaçãoDebut album artist and songwriter
Awards
- Grammy Award · 2006Best Contemporary World Music Album for Eletracústico.
- Polar Music Prize · 2005Honoured for bringing the music of Brazil to the world.
- Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year · 2003Recognised by the Latin Recording Academy.
- Grammy Award · 1999Best World Music Album for Quanta Live.
Quotes
Eu soube que a música era minha linguagem, mesmo.Gilberto Gil, official biography
Remembering his childhood in Bahia. In English: “I knew that music really was my language.”
Trivia
- His first instrument was accordion, before he moved to guitar.
- Gilbertos Samba pays tribute to João Gilberto, one of his formative influences.
- Milton Nascimento is credited as a special guest on the title track of Quanta.
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