Brazil
Page: 2
Brazilian singer Ayres Sasaki has died after being electrocuted during a live performance in Brazil. The 35-year-old musician died almost instantly after hugging a soaking-wet fan during a concert on July 13 at the Solar Hotel in Salinopolis. The contact between the two triggered a nearby cable to jolt, causing the fatal electric shock, according […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Madonna is ending her critically-acclaimed Celebration World Tour in Brazil this weekend, with a one-night-only concert dubbed the “Celebration in Rio” show.
Taking place live at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the concert will be broadcast locally on Brazilian TV but there are ways to watch Madonna’s Rio concert online outside of Brazil as well (sort of scoring a travel deal to go watch Madge in person).
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Madonna’s Brazil concert airs Saturday, May 4 at 9:45 p.m. local Brazil time (8:45 p.m. ET). Brazilian fans can watch the show on Globo TV and through its streaming service, Globoplay. Want to watch Madonna’s Rio concert from the U.S.? Use a virtual private network (VPN) like ExpressVPN, which will let you set your IP address to Brazil, so that you can livestream the Madonna concert on Globoplay for free.
Trending on Billboard
A subscription to ExpressVPN starts at just $6.67 a month. NordVPN is another solid VPN service that will let you watch Globoplay’s Madonna live feed from outside of Brazil. Sign up for NordVPN here.
You can also livestream Madonna’s “Celebration in Rio” concert online free through Sling TV. Sling is a live TV streaming service which offers Globo as part of its international plans. Sling currently has a 3-day free trial that you can use to access Globo to stream Madonna’s Rio concert online for free. Continue on with one of Sling’s monthly subscription plans or cancel before your free trial is up to avoid being charged.
Saturday’s show is sponsored by Itaú bank, and the concert will mark Madonna’s first show in Brazil since 2012. This is also a free show, and tickets will be made available to fans on a first-come first-serve basis on the day of the event.
This is the last stop on Madonna’s Celebration Tour, which is projected to rake in more than $225 million when all is said and done. The tour kicked off in London in October, before winding its way through Canada, the U.S., and Mexico City.
Imagine the scene: One of the greatest pop artists in history is in the middle of the Palais Garnier, the imposing house of the Paris Opera. Then, with her blue eyes fixed on the camera, she says an entirely off-script phrase: “Brazil, I’m coming.”
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
But back then, in November 2023, there was nothing certain, not even close, for Madonna to take her Celebration Tour to Brazil. On the contrary, it was rumored that this would be an almost impossible mission due to technical reasons.
“At the time, we thought: Why don’t we ask her to record the phrase ‘Brazil, I’m coming soon’ as an extra for the commercial?” says Pedro Smith, head of Strategic Brand Relations at Itaú, the biggest bank in Latin America, whose centenary campaign stars Madonna. “She would express a reciprocal interest in making the show happen if she agreed. Well, she recorded that speech, but we still didn’t have a way to use it!”
It was up to the bank to pull strings to make it happen. But they were running out of time.
Trending on Billboard
“The day after the shoot, we watched her show in Paris and realized that the structure would be complicated to adapt to a large crowd like the one we wanted. Because of this, Guy Oseary [the singer’s manager] poured cold water on us,” Smith says.
The following week, legendary businessman Luiz Oscar Niemeyer from Bonus Track, a “key player” in the process, appeared on the scene. For those who are not familiar with the intricacies of the music business, Niemeyer is a pioneer in the international concert market in Brazil, responsible for Paul McCartney’s record attendance at Maracanã in 1993 (and for all of McCartney’s subsequent visits to Brazil) and the performance by The Rolling Stones on Copacabana Beach, among many other historic events.
So there were two players: the biggest bank in Latin America that already had a close relationship with Madonna, and an experienced producer used to dealing with the biggest names in showbiz. But destiny sometimes plays tricks.
“I had already tried to bring Madonna in 2006, without success, and I had already been talking to Live Nation, responsible for the Celebration Tour, but Madonna had that health problem last year, and the tour was postponed,” explains Niemeyer, or “LON” for those closest to him.
At the end of 2023, Madonna returned to action, recorded the commercial and sold out dates in Europe, but Niemeyer, who had gone on vacation at the beginning of the year, also had to deal with his own health. The producer suffered a severe accident, was hospitalized and was out of action. “I broke down completely,” he laughs.
In mid-February (just over two months before the show date), negotiations intensified with Niemeyer back on track. “We became very close [to Niemeyer] and exchanged lots of info, like a task force to make this show possible, because Itaú had a contract with Madonna and Bonus Track, with Live Nation,” says Smith. “It was Saturday, Sunday, sometimes 3 am, and Luiz Oscar and I were in meetings with teams from outside Brazil.”
And the teams for everything related to Madonna, of course, are quite rigorous. “We have to deliver a show complying with the level of production that it presents around the world, naturally adapted for a much larger space. Only when we had the resizing of this structure, sponsorships, television broadcasting and technical issues approved was the deal finally closed,” explains Niemeyer, stressing that leaks about the show that took over the Internet in the weeks before the official announcement did not interfere in the negotiations.
According to him, from the beginning, the idea was that the show at Princesinha do Mar would close the Celebration Tour as “a great gift for Brazilian fans.” “It was a great choice – a Saturday, we have a holiday in the middle of the week, and more people can visit the city,” says Niemeyer.
We hope Madonna enjoys it too.
Madonna’s historic concert at Rio’s Copacabana Beach on May 4 will be produced by her long-time promoter Arthur Fogel and legendary Brazilian producer and promoter Luiz Oscar Niemeyer, Live Nation officials have confirmed to Billboard. Fogel is one of the most accomplished concert and tour producers in the world and serves as the chairman of […]
On March 6, Brazilian powerhouse Luísa Sonza will be celebrated as a Global Force at this year’s Billboard Women In Music Awards.
As the only Brazilian being honored at the prestigious ceremony, Sonza told Billboard Brasil, “It’s very surreal. I would never have expected it, but I’m very happy to represent Brazil and that they look to Brazilian artists.”
This accolade comes on the heels of her Billboard Brasil Hot 100-topping success. Sonza first captured hearts in 2014 with her covers on YouTube and beguilingly earned the title as the Queen of Covers. In 2020, she made her debut on the Billboard charts and quickly became a global force, if you will.
With seven tracks on the Global Excl. US chart, including pop hits like “Modo Turbo” with Pablo Vittar, featuring Anitta (2020), “Cachorrinhas” (2022), and “Chico” (2023), her music continues to resonate worldwide. These tracks not only made waves internationally but also secured her spots on the coveted Billboard Global 200.
Furthermore, her impressive track record in her country, featuring 12 charted songs including three top 10s, is a testament to her homegrown appeal and artistry.
The singer also celebrated the fact that the industry is honoring Latin musicians. Colombian superstar Karol G is Billboard’s 2024 Woman of the Year, and Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko will receive the Impact Award at Billboard Women in Music 2024. “I like this selection. In general, the [industry] was Americanized for a long time, and today I see the recipients — I have Latin friends who sing in Spanish, just as I mostly sing in Portuguese,” she reflected.
Her collaborations with international artists such as Demi Lovato, Marshmello and Katy Perry further highlight her global reach and influence in the music industry.
“I’m happy to be there [at this year’s ceremony] and what [my third studio album] Escândalo Íntimo has brought me. It was very special to have Demi Lovato sing in Portuguese (‘Penhasco2’) and to create a song with Marshmello (‘Sou Musa Do Verão’),” added Luísa Sonza.
Tickets to attend the Billboard Women in Music Awards presented by Marriott Bonvoy are available to the public. Fans can watch the show on Thurs, March 7 at 5pm PT/8pm ET on billboardwomeninmusic.com.
Warner Music Group has launched the Warner Music Space, a new hub headquartered in Rio de Janeiro that will house Warner Music Brazil, Warner Chappell Music Brazil and ADA Brazil operations. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The newly-inaugurated collaborative space, located in Barra da Tijuca in […]
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Baes & Baddies, Hip-Hop Wired’s spotlight on beautiful women is back again and this time, we’re taking it to South America to feature the beautiful Gil aka @diasdegil. We don’t know much about Gil, but we can say she’s an absolute knockout.
All we know about Gil aka @diasdegil so far is that she hails from Rio de Janeiro and she’s active on both Instagram, where we discovered her, and also her TikTok page. From what we can determine, the lovely Gil appears to be Afro-Brazilian and stuns in any outfit she puts on. The curves are there along with a million-dollar smile that’ll light up any timeline.
With much of her content delivered in her native tongue of Portuguese, we’re unable to determine what she’s sharing with her loving audience but it really shouldn’t matter when you have the visual power Gil commands.
Check out our latest Baes & Baddies entry, Gil aka @diasdegil in the gallery below.
—
Photo: Instagram/@diasdegil
Billboard announced Tuesday (Sept. 5) the launch of Billboard Brasil, expanding its footprint in South America.
“We are thrilled to be launching Billboard in Latin America’s biggest music market,” said Hannah Karp, editorial director of Billboard. “We look forward to serving Portuguese-speaking fans and creators around the world as their No. 1 source of news and insight about the business of music—with unparalleled access to the artists who power it.”
Added Dana Droppo, Billboard‘s chief brand officer, “We were inspired to bring Billboard to Brazil. We have a great team in place for what feels like a significant moment for the Brazilian music industry, which is gaining strength in international markets. We feel that this will be a new era of success and growth for Billboard.”
According to a press release, the first print edition of Billboard Brasil is set to arrive on newsstands in the coming weeks. The inaugural issue will feature exclusive coverage of The Town, the five-day festival in São Paulo, taking place now through Sept. 10. To celebrate the launch of the first issue, Billboard Brasil will host an afterparty. Additional details are forthcoming.
“Billboard is a solid brand, and we look forward to welcoming it to the Brazilian market. We are excited to develop an innovative format for bold, differentiated, and comprehensive projects,” said Fátima Pissarra, CEO of Billboard Brasil, who previously spent eight years at VEVO.
“There is a big gap in music coverage and, at the same time, a very strong market,“ said Débora Miranda, editor-in-chief, Billboard Brasil, who has been working in cultural coverage for 25 years. “It is a joy to be part of a project whose mission is to reflect the musical diversity of Brazil and a privilege to do this with one of the most important brands in the world.”
With over 30 years of experience in music journalism, Sergio Martins will be responsible for exclusive articles and interviews in the print publication. “We want to make a magazine that unites entertainment with quality content,” said Martins, musical director & artistic curator, Billboard Brasil. “At Billboard, all musical styles will have a voice and their stories will be told by an attentive and talented team.”
Carlos Scappini, Marcus Buaiz, Marcello Azevedo, Murilo Henare, Raquel and Michel Kury round out the publication’s operations team.
Billboard Brasil adds to the list of the publication’s international editions, including Billboard Japan, Billboard Korea, Billboard Arabia, Billboard Español and others.
Rita Lee, known as the “Queen of Brazilian Rock” for hits like “Ovelha Negra,” “Mania de Você” and “Now Only Missing You,” died on Monday (May 8) at 75, her family confirmed. Lee was notably diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021.
“We communicate the passing of Rita Lee, at her residence in the capital of São Paulo, at the end of the night, surrounded by all the love of her family, as she always wanted,” a statement published on her official Instagram account on Tuesday read, in Portuguese.
Known for her fusion of psicodelia with pop, MPB, bossa and new wave, the legendary Latin Grammy Award-winning artist — who is one of Brazil’s most successful singer-songwriters — got her start with the group Os Mutantes before launching a fruitful solo career. Last November, she was recognized with the Latin Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, but she could not attend to receive it at the ceremony in Las Vegas.
“Rita Lee was a visionary artist and one of the best-selling singer/songwriters in the history of Brazil,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, in a Tuesday statement in which he expressed his “most sincere condolences to her family, friends and all lovers of her music.”
Born on December 31, 1947 in São Paulo, Lee began her career with the band Os Mutantes and recorded albums with the band Tutti Frutti, including 1975’s Fruto Proibido. In 1979, she released the LP Rita Lee — which included classics such as “Mania De Você”, “Lança Perfume” and “Caso Sério” — in collaboration with her husband, the multi-instrumentalist Roberto de Carvalho, in an artistic partnership that continued into the 1980s with a long list of radio hits and massive concerts.
In later decades she made acoustic recordings such as Aqui, Ali, em Qualquer Lugar, a collection based on songs by The Beatles. In 2015 she celebrated her career with a CD collection, and the following year she published an autobiography in which she described herself as a “rebel” and “hippie communist.”
A public wake will be held at the São Paulo planetarium on Wednesday, May 10, the family said in the statement, adding that according to Lee’s wishes, her body will be cremated.
Lee is survived by her husband and collaborator Roberto do Carvalho and three children.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Fans expecting to see Drake at Lollapalooza Brazil were left disappointed. The rapper canceled last minute prompting staff to replace him with Skrillex.
As spotted on Stereogum, Champagne Papi was slotted to close out the three day concert series at the Interlagos Circuit, in São Paulo. The morning of his performance (Sunday, March 26), he apparently notified the folks at Lollapalooza Brazil he would not be performing. In turn the staff hurried to replace him and locked in the American DJ and record producer Skrillex to replace Drizzy.
Once locked in Lollapalooza Brazil announced the switch to the public. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Drake is without members of his sound and production team, essential to the realization of the Lollapalooza show in Sao Paulo,” a statement translated from Portuguese to English on the festival’s Instagram account. “Drake was excited to perform for his fans in Brazil. Unfortunately, this is beyond his control. Sorry.”
The organization would go on to offer refunds for ticket holders who declined to attend on Sunday. Ironically, Drake was spotted having a good time at a strip club in Miami with the likes of 50 Cent. The “Money In The Grave” MC hasn’t had the best of luck with impressing his fans in South America. Earlier this month he faced backlash from fans at the Argentina and Chile editions of Lollapalooza because his sets were only about 40 minutes. Ticketholders at both shows felt the performances should have been much longer considering he was the headliner at both cities.
Drake has yet to comment on the matter.
—
Photo: Prince Williams / Getty