Brazil at the Crossroads

Brazil has seen its ups and downs since it became an independent empire in 1822: strongman leaders, military rule, populist democracy and more. In 2018, a politically weary nation faces a stark electoral choice between radically different futures. But whatever was happening in the halls of power, Brazil has always produced powerful, beautiful and ecstatic music, and always known how to party. On Afropop’s 2018 return trip to Brazil, We take a deep dive into the music and evolution of Carnaval in Salvador, Bahia, and dig into new developments in MPB, roots and rock from Pernambuco, Baile funk, new sounds from Amazonia and more from one of the most prolific musical nations on earth.