Brazil samba 1980s ▶ 48K subscribers

Leci Brandão

Leci Brandão is a Brazilian samba singer and songwriter from Rio de Janeiro whose songs address race, identity and social justice, and who has served as a São Paulo state deputy since 2011.

Origins

Born in 1944 in Rio de Janeiro, she joined the composers' wing of the Mangueira samba school in 1972, where she was the first openly gay Black woman among its composers. She released her first recordings in 1974 and her debut album, Antes Que Eu Volte a Ser Nada, in 1975.

The sound

Her music is samba and partido-alto with socially engaged lyrics, honoring Afro-Brazilian religion, favela life and everyday people.

Legacy

She has been re-elected to the São Paulo Legislative Assembly four times, the first Black woman to serve four consecutive terms there. In 2026 she was nominated for the Latin Grammy for Best Samba/Pagode Album with 50 Anos de Carreira (Ao Vivo).