MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) is a specific musical genre of Brazilian popular music that employs sophisticated lyrics, melodies, and harmonies in which the commercial aspect is subordinate to the performer's artistic standards.

During the 1960s, this abbreviation applied to the song movement that followed the bossa nova, with composers and audiences largely connected to the intellectual thinking of student medium, causing it to be known as popular "university" music. MPB made a considerable impact at that time, followed by the student shows and famous song festivals promoted by television between 1965-69. This movement developed elements created by the bossa nova, led by a theme often linked to criticism of social injustice and dictatorial repression, being based on the national-populist thesis, current amongst the left at that time, of opposition to the military regime based on the alliance of progressive classes against the dictatorship, landowners, and imperialism.

After 1969, the climate that created the MPB movement ceased to exist but the abbreviation survived, however with a less specific meaning, yet still problematical, indicating in some way that type of production of Brazilian music in which a certain aesthetic quality is recognized.

MPB is a contemporary trend that has brought the world many renowned Brazilian artists.

Notable performers

• Caetano Veloso
• Chico Buarque
• Djavan
• Dorival Caymmi
• Dori Caymmi
• Elis Regina
• Gal Costa
• Gilberto Gil
• Ivan Lins
• João Bosco
• Jorge Benjor
• Joyce
• Maria Bethânia
• Marisa Monte
• Milton Nascimento
• Nana Caymmi
• Ney Matogrosso
• MPB-4
• Os Mutantes
• Roberto Carlos

External links

• Brazilian music at CliqueMusic