top of page
Writer's pictureLucas Lima

Remember: Gil, Caetano, Anitta, Ben Jor, and "The Girl from Ipanema" at the 2016 Olympics

Brazilian music set the tone for the opening ceremony of that edition

Caetano Veloso e Anitta na abertura das Olimpíadas
Foto: Reprodução

Olympic seasons bring to mind memories of great achievements, record-breaking performances, perseverance, and, of course, the nostalgia of grand opening ceremonies. If this year we'll have Céline Dion and Lady Gaga in Paris, in 2016 we had a lot of Brazilian flavor with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Anitta, Ludmilla, and Jorge Ben Jor.


Held in Rio de Janeiro, that year's edition nailed it by showcasing Brazil's cultural diversity through expressions like samba and Carnival, with performances by pillars of national music such as Jorge Ben Jor, Caetano Veloso, and Gilberto Gil, alongside contemporary artists like Anitta and Ludmilla.



And what about Gisele Bündchen's runway walk to the sound of "Garota de Ipanema"? The classic by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes is the most recorded Brazilian song of all time. No wonder it was in the global spotlight in 2016 with a live performance by Daniel Jobim, Tom's grandson.



Bossa Nova was also featured with the rendition of "Aqui, O Que É?" by João Gilberto, performed by Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Anitta. Ludmilla brought funk to the stage with "Rap da Felicidade," a song originally recorded by the MC duo Cidinho & Doca in 1995.


We miss 2016, but now it's time to cheer for Brazil in the 2024 Olympic Games!


WePlay is a streaming platform for Brazilian concerts that believes in the diversity of national music and the importance of crediting artists. Learn more about the service at weplaymusic.tv.br.



0 views

댓글


bottom of page