It’s challenging to summarize a whole country’s culture in just a few names, especially for a continental one, as is the case for Brazil. So many different people who come from different backgrounds, share different ancestries, eat different types of foods, and live in the same country that it’s a surprise to no one that Brazil is home to many musical genres, some of them more talked about than others internationally. Because of this, the superstars in the country typically vary significantly from the rest of Latin America. Case in point: Bad Bunny, the artist that breaks records even in the U.S., is barely making waves in Brazil.
From an outsider’s perspective, funk may seem like the most popular musical style in the country, but what if I told you it’s actually sertanejo? The Brazilian take on country music has been on the lead for the most listened genre for over 400 weeks, which amounts to over seven years of uninterrupted success. Pop music is also huge in the country, not only providing the music scene with great beats but also carrying the national LGBTQ representation with the talents of queer artists such as Pabllo Vittar, Gloria Groove, and Pedro Sampaio.
Other wildly successful genres include forró, MPB, samba, bossa nova, axé, reggae, rap, and so many others, serving as direct indicators of all the multiple identities and cultures inside the 3.2 million square miles that make up the Brazilian territory.
With such a rich and diverse musical landscape, it’s no surprise that Brazil continues to produce artists who push boundaries and redefine genres. Many of these musicians have gained massive followings within the country yet remain relatively unknown on the global stage. Whether blending traditional sounds with modern influences or creating entirely new musical movements, these rising stars are shaping Brazil’s ever-evolving music scene.
To offer you a glimpse of the diversity of Brazil’s soundscape, here are 10 Brazilian superstars from various genres that you should get to know in 2025.
Jão
This singer and songwriter is the youngest in Brazilian history to sell out three concerts at Allianz Parque, the main venue for stadium concerts in São Paulo, with a capacity of 50,000 people. With his latest work, Super, the 30-year-old achieved the biggest release for an album on Spotify Brasil, reaching 8.5 million streams in 24 hours. His relatable lyrics, easily perceived in tracks such as “Idiota,” “Alinhamento Milenar,” and “Me Lambe,” pop melodies, and stage presence are just a few of the reasons that have made Jão one of the most successful pop stars in Brazil.
Liniker
A symbol of representation for both Black and trans people, Liniker is, more than anything, a symbol of artistic authenticity. Embracing musical genres such as soul, MPB, and blues, her artistic preferences can be seen and heard in works such as“TUDO,” “CAJU,” and “VELUDO MARROM.” The artist is on a mission to accumulate achievements, having already won two Latin Grammy awards and four Prêmio Multishow trophies, a celebrated music award in Brazil. She also took the top spot on Remezcla’s Best of Pop list from 2024 with “TUDO.” Liniker is the first transgender person to be part of the Brazilian Academy of Culture, occupying Chair 51 since 2023.
Ana Castela
At only 21-years-old, Ana Castela is building up a steady career bound to last. The young singer is one of the biggest names in sertanejo. Back in July 2024, we published an interview with Castela, where she talked about her impressive journey so far. Her first big hit was “Pipoco” from 2022, a collaboration with Melody and DJ Chris no Beat. But before that, her voice had already gone viral when she released a cover of Loubet’s “Vaqueiro Apaixonado.” Last year, the artist received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Sertanejo Music Album. Her charisma and lower register voice, noticeable in songs like “Depois do Rodeio” and “Lua,” have become part of the singer’s recipe for success, charming listeners all around the country.
Jaloo
Born and raised in the State of Pará in the North of Brazil, Jaloo has carried her roots into her artistry and has made a name for herself in production and singing. As a true representative of electronic music, a good chunk of her work is self-produced, mixing techno, pop, and Brazilian rhythms into a unique blend, which can be appreciated in some of her first releases like “Vem” and “Ah! Dor!,” as well as in her latest album, with songs like “Mau.” The singer has performed at Rock in Rio and Lollapalooza Brasil and partnered up with other artists like Karol Konká, Gaby Amarantos, and MC Tha for her album ft. (Part 1), released in 2019. Jaloo is also an actor, having starred as the drag queen Imã in the 2018 movie Paraíso Perdido, directed by Monique Gardenberg.
Lauana Prado
Another representative of sertanejo — the most popular music genre in Brazil — is Lauana Prado, who walks a more diverse path in her music than most of her peers, venturing into rock, pop, and reggae territories. Bearing two Latin Grammy nominations, her lyrics also diverge from the usual themes of cheating, heartbreak, and regret found in most sertanejo songs. For Prado, blossoming love, intense adoration, and overall more positive themes are her preference, but she still doesn’t flee from some popular tropes of the genre, as seen in “Whisky Vagabund0,” “Fetiche,” and “Haverá Sinais.” The artist’s personal life also creates a distinction from other sertanejo stars, who tend to be more conservative, since Prado is openly bisexual.
Sorriso Maroto
There is no way to write about Brazilian music without mentioning samba. Sorriso Maroto is a pagode group consisting of five members that has been active since 1997. Pagode can be considered a branch of samba, and both co-exist as genres. With a career spanning over 28 years, the group’s popularity remains intact, being one of the most listened to artists by Brazilians in 2024, with their tracks often commenting on cheating, heartbreak, and how to navigate through the hardships of a relationship, noticeable in the lyrics of songs like “Sinais,” “Ela,” and “Brigas por nada.” Sorriso Maroto has also been featured in various soundtracks for Brazilian soap operas over the years, the most notable case being in 2012 when their song “Assim Você Mata o Papai” played in Avenida Brasil and reached no. 6 in Billboard Brasil Hot 100 list, which has only contributed to their enduring success.
Seu Jorge
One of the main figures in Brazilian MPB, R&B, and soul music, Seu Jorge is known for his low, gruff, and slightly hoarse voice and often plays into other genres such as funk and samba. His songs “Burguesinha,” “Mina do Condomínio,” and “Amiga da Minha Mulher” are just a few examples of what makes his voice so instantly recognizable, as well as the humor imbued in his lyrics. The singer has accumulated eight Latin Grammy nominations and three wins. A multifaceted artist, Seu Jorge is also recognized for his acting both in Brazil and in the U.S., having worked with directors such as Wes Anderson, Lázaro Ramos, and José Padilha on productions like The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), Tropa de Elite 2 (2010), and Medida Provisória (2022).
Duda Beat
Born in the Northeast region of Brazil, Duda Beat is a prime example of how modernizing traditional rhythms can work in your favor. By creating fun melodies inspired by Brazilian forró and adding a flare of electronic music, as seen in songs like “Bixinho,” “Meu Pisêro,” and “Bolo de rolo,” the singer got her debut album included in Rolling Stone Brasil’s list of the 10 Best Brazilian Albums of 2018. Since then, Duda Beat has worked with renowned artists such as Nando Reis, Adriana Calcanhotto, Gaby Amarantos, and Tiago Iorc and has scored a Latin Grammy nomination.
Anavitória
This duo formed by Ana Caetano and Vitória Falcão is an interesting case where the vibes are just as important as the music the artist sings. Anavitória is the name of the duo, but it has sort of become a shared identity of both artists that reach the very best of their individual potential when singing in just one voice. Whenever both women work as one to create sweet, delicate music, the fans rejoice, singing along to the lyrics of songs like “Ai, Amor” and “Porque Eu Te Amo.” The soft pop and MPB they are known for have granted them four Latin Grammy awards over the years, along with a prolific partnership with iconic Brazilian singer and songwriter Nando Reis, as seen in “N.”
Henrique e Juliano
Henrique and Juliano are the most listened-to Brazilian artists of 2024. The two brothers have captivated Brazilian audiences all over the country with their pleasant voices as they sing sertanejo songs such as “Conversas e Lençois,” “Romântico,” and “Na Hora da Raiva,” which reflect their own style. The duo has walked a long path since starting in 2008, and the effort has certainly paid off. Besides singing, the brothers share another line of business: cattle. In 2023, they earned over R$ 71,8 million (about $11.6 million) during an auction for over 120 lots of Nelore cattle. After almost 20 years on the road, the brothers give no sign of wanting to stop anytime soon, for the joy of fans.
