Zeca Pagodinho Celebrates 100 Years of Samba in London
25 November, 2016It’s been 10 years since Zeca Pagodinho last played a show in London, but on the 29th November he returns to the English capital to perform one night only at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, celebrating 100 years of samba.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Zeca really transmits the friendliness and happiness associated with the city, allowing him to connect with people from all around Brazil through his charisma and lyrics, lyrics that aren’t pretentiously poetic, but instead reflect Brazilians’ every-day speech. You may have seen Zeca earlier this year, when he performed during the Rio Olympics opening ceremony besides other big names in Brazilian music such as Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.
Pagode is a subgenre of samba that became the soundtrack to Rio in the 80s, when its commercial success first began in the 80s. Zeca was a well-known figure within pagode from the start, known for improvising lyrics for hours on end during performances. At the Carnavalesco Cacique de Ramos bloco, Beth Carvalho (a hugely famous Brazilian samba singer) took Zeca under her wing and featured him on her smash hit album Camarão Que Dorme a Onda Leva in 1983.
In 1986 he recorded his first album that went on to sell one million copies. To this day, he has no less than 15 albums, 3 DVDs, 4 Latin Grammys for Best Samba/Pagode album (out of 7 nominations). His latest album Ser Humano (2015) features collaborations with Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Jorge Ben Jor, Martinho da Vila and many more loved Brazilian singers.
His tour will take him to Germany, Portugal and Holland, as well as London. If you are attending, planning on attending or waiting to be convinced, check out Zeca’s Spotify Selection for his favourite Brazilian classics, featuring lots of samba, bossa and pagode. This will give you an idea of the atmosphere you will experience on the night of the 29th!
Don’t forget to tell the world about your experience by using #ZecaLondon2016 #Nov29 on social media platforms.
Tickets are available HERE
Zeca’s best bits:
“Quando Eu Contar” (1986) youtube.com/watch?v=MtU8LfYyMTw
“Samba Pras Mocas” (1995) youtube.com/watch?v=_6fqeF5jafo
“Deixa Clarear” (1996) youtube.com/watch?v=V4Mi2DxF1Vc
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