One of the most influential figures in Brazilian music, singer, guitarist and composer Gilberto Gil's musical career spans more than half a century. Nearly 60 albums and nine Grammy Awards and nominations make him one of the most successful music creators in the world. His creations cover the entire field of Brazilian popular music and include music from other regions (especially Africa and North America). As the "great architect of Brazilian popular music", Gil will continue to review Brazilian popular music with his sons, leading us to delve into his inner world and revisit the classic tracks of his brilliant career.

Gil knew from a young age that music was his language, that it could take him to explore the world and to other places, because he believed there was music from the earth and music from heaven. In the inland city of Bahia where he lived as a child, whenever religious celebrations began, as the first clarinet sounded in the orchestra, the sound seemed to permeate every corner, and he would always run out to greet it.

His career began in the 50s, when he played the accordion. He was inspired by Luis Gonzaga, radio music and religious processions in small towns. In the northeast of Brazil, he explored folk country music until the emergence of João Gilberto, Bossa Nova and the seaside songs brought by Dorival Cayemi, which were very different from the music he was used to. Under this influence, Gil put down the accordion and learned guitar, then electric guitar, instruments that still carry unique harmonies in his works today.

From an early stage, his songs depicted his country, displaying a very personal rhythmic and melodic style. His first record, Louvação (Odes), released in 1967, included such well-known songs as Louvação, Procissão, Roda and Viramundo, which epitomized his unique way of incorporating regional elements into his music.

In 1963, after meeting his friend Cayetano Veloso at the University of Bahia, Gil began to collaborate with him and together they launched a movement to reflect and internationalize music, film, visual arts, theater and even all Brazilian art, the so-called "Tropicalismo" or "Tropical Movement". Many talented and diverse artists participated in this movement, such as Gal Costa, Thom Ze, Du Prat, José Carpiñam, Torquato Neto, Rogerio Duarte, Nara Leon, etc. The movement caused dissatisfaction with the dictatorship at the time, who believed that its liberal expression and creation were harmful to society, and eventually exiled the participants.

Exile in London further deepened the influence of the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and the emerging pop music industry on Gill's work, and Gill also recorded an album in Portuguese and English in London.

After returning to Brazil, Gil continued to record prolifically, which he continues to do to this day. He has released nearly 60 albums, sold about 4 million copies, and received 9 Grammy Awards and nominations. Gil has created a rich and comprehensive musical and audiovisual work. One of Gil's recent works, Gilbertos Samba, is a reinterpretation of Joao Gilberto's classics and a tribute to the master. In 2015 and 2016, Gil celebrated 50 years of friendship and career with Cayetano Veloso, with a historic show, "Cayetano and Gil: Two Friends, a Century of Music", released on CD and DVD. In 2017, Gil, Nando Reis and Gal Costa launched the album Trinca de Ases, which features their tour in major cities in Brazil and Europe, also recorded on CD and DVD. In 2018, Gil launched the album OK OK OK, which contains his family, the illness he has experienced and his questioning of the role that society requires him to assume. The album won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Brazilian Music Album in November 2019.

Each of Gilles' new works has been consolidated and promoted in a global tour. Each album has become a performance, and many performances have become an album. Gilles is always willing to embark on national and international tours for each new work. He is a regular guest at major European festivals and theaters every year, and has also made many tours throughout America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Since his first international performance in 1971, especially after his outstanding performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1978, he has had a loyal audience for his performances abroad.

Gilles has been active in the international social, political, environmental and cultural fields since he was appointed Minister of Culture in 2002. During his tenure as Minister, he designed and implemented a series of new policies, from the creation of "cultural hotspots" to Brazil's forefront position in global forums, seminars and conferences, covering new technologies, copyright, cultural development, cultural diversity and the place of the South in a globalized world.

Gil's activities have been recognized by many countries. He was awarded the title of UNESCO Artist for Peace in 1999, the FAO Ambassador, the French Legion of Honor, the Swedish Polar Music Prize and many other honors and awards.