Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira, better known as Gilberto Gil, has developed as a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and guitarist with both musical and political affiliations. Born June 29th, 1942, he quickly became involved in the music world as a child, and was able to join his first band when he was just a teenager. His musical career took off from there, and was heavily influenced by both his cultural ties and different styles of music. Gil also began to include political messages and calls for social activism in many of his songs, which prompted his involvement in several different movements. Eventually, after facing controversy and exile, he returned to hold positions as a political and environmental advocate, as well as to further his musical career. However, to truly comprehend the impact that his music and his social and political involvement had on his country, it is …show more content…
He grew up in Salvador, Brazil, located in the state of Bahia in Northeast Brazil ("Gilberto Gil"). During this time period, this area served as a major source of sugar and coffee plantations, and “by the end of World War II, [it] had become Latin America’s major industrial power” (Duiker 116). Therefore, a prominent economic aspect in Brazil was slavery and slave trade. Over one third of slaves that were brought to Brazil from Africa settled in Bahia specifically, which resulted in the development of a strong Afro-Brazilian heritage that distinctly influenced the culture that Gil was exposed to as he grew up ("Gilberto Gil"). Fortunate enough to be born into a middle class family, he was still immersed in African cuisine, religion, and musical stylings that included not only African elements, but also Indian songs and instruments that were definitively European. Each of these items drew his interest and furthered his exploration in musical styles and