Carlinhos Brown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carlinhos Brown
Background information
Birth name	Antônio Carlos Santos de Freitas
Born	(1962-11-23) 23 November 1962 (age 62) Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Genres	Funk, latin music, R&B, soul music, samba, batucada, reggae, Axe music, MPB
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician
Associated acts	Timbalada, Tribalistas, Sergio Mendes

Antônio Carlos Santos de Freitas, known as Carlinhos Brown (born November 23, 1962), is a famous Brazilian singer, percussionist, and music producer. He comes from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

His music mixes different styles like funk, latin music, R&B, soul music, reggae, and traditional Brazilian percussion. He is known for his energetic performances and unique sound.

In 2012, Carlinhos Brown was nominated for an Oscar. This was for the song "Real in Rio" from the movie Rio, which he created with Sérgio Mendes. He has won many awards, including a Goya Award and two Latin Grammys. He also received an award for his work as an art educator.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Carlinhos Brown was born in Candeal Pequeno. This is a neighborhood in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. His parents were Renato and Madalena.

When he was a child, two musicians from Bahia, Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, started a new music movement called Tropicália. This movement changed Brazilian music a lot. Carlinhos Brown's mentor, Osvaldo Alves da Silva, taught him about Brazilian folk traditions.

Carlinhos Brown's Musical Journey

Starting His Career

As he grew up, Carlinhos Brown learned to play many percussion instruments. In the 1980s, he started working with other artists. In 1984, he played with Luís Caldas's band, Accordes Verdes. This band helped start samba-reggae music.

In 1985, Luís Caldas recorded "Visão de Cíclope," a song written by Carlinhos Brown. It became very popular in Salvador. After that, he wrote more hit songs for other artists. In 1989, he joined Caetano Veloso's band for the album Estrangeiro. He wrote "Meia Lua Inteira," which was a big success in Brazil and other countries. This led him to tour the world with famous musicians like João Gilberto and Djavan.

Forming Timbalada

In the late 1980s, Carlinhos Brown began gathering people in his hometown to form percussion groups. He taught them basic drumming rhythms. Candeal, his hometown, has strong connections to Candomblé. This is a religion brought to Brazil by African slaves. It involves a lot of drumming in daily life.

Carlinhos Brown saw this rich culture as a chance for growth. These gatherings grew into a band called Timbalada. It became very popular, along with another band he formed called Vai Quem Vem. They became so famous that he built a concert stadium for their practices. Timbalada released eight albums and toured many countries. Billboard magazine called their first album the "best record produced in Latin America in 1993." Money from their success helped improve the streets and houses in Candeal.

In 1992, Carlinhos Brown worked on the album Ritual Beating System with Bahia Black. He also wrote and performed songs for Sergio Mendes's album Brasileiro. These songs included "Fanfarra" and "Magalenha."

His Solo Music Career

Carlinhos Brown in 2007

After Timbalada's success, Carlinhos Brown released his first solo album in 1996. It was called Alfagamabetizado. On this album, he sang, wrote songs, and played instruments. That same year, he also appeared on the album Roots by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura.

In 1997, Carlinhos Brown performed the song "A Namorada" in the American movie Speed 2: Cruise Control. He also appeared in a Brazilian movie called Navalha na Carne.

His second album, Omelete Man, came out in 1998. His third album, Bahia do Mundo, Mito e Verdade, was released in 2001.

In 2003, he released Carlinhos Brown É Carlito Marrón. He also worked with DJ Dero on the 2004 album Candyall Beat. The Carlito Marrón album was very successful in Spain. It had a hit song called "Maria Caipirinha" in 2004.

Carlinhos Brown continues to be active in his community in Salvador da Bahía. In 1994, he started the Pracatum Music School. This is a non-profit organization that helps with education and community development. He also has his own music label, Candyall Records. Carlinhos Brown has also started painting, and his artwork has been well received.

In 2007, his album A Gente Ainda Não Sonhou was released. He co-wrote two songs on it with Marisa Monte and Arnaldo Antunes.

Carlinhos Brown is featured in the 2004 documentary El Milagro de Candeal. This film shows how he has helped transform Candeal. It was once seen as a dangerous area but is now known as a vibrant music town.

In 2011, he worked with Los Van Van on the song "Soy Loco Por Tí, América." This was for a charity album to raise money and awareness for AIDS/HIV. More recently, he was featured in Shakira's song "LA LA LA" for the 2014 World Cup.

From 2012 to 2023, Carlinhos Brown was a judge on The Voice Brasil, a reality talent show. He was a judge for nine years in a row. He has also been a judge on the spin-off show, The Voice Kids, for eight seasons.

Working with Tribalistas

In 2002, Carlinhos Brown formed the group Tribalistas. He joined with Arnaldo Antunes and Marisa Monte. He sang and played drums on their self-titled album Os Tribalistas. Their song "Já Sei Namorar" became the number-one song on Brazilian radio. Their second song, "Velha Infância," was also very popular. The album had two more hits in Brazil: "Passe em Casa" and "É Você." In 2003, Tribalistas won awards for Best Album, Best DVD, and Best Song (for "Já Sei Namorar").

Making a Difference: Social Activism

Carlinhos Brown started the Pracatum School, also known as the Pracatum Project, in 1994. After becoming famous, he wanted to do more than just write powerful songs. He wanted to help his hometown and the children there. He remembered how he had big dreams but few resources.

The money from this school and from Timbalada helped improve health services and urban development. This included paving streets that once had overflowing sewer water. It also helped renovate unfinished housing projects.

Family Life

Carlinhos Brown has a daughter named Nina De Freitas, born in 1990, with Raquel Machado. His current wife is Helena Buarque. They have four children together: Francisco (born 1996), Clara (born 1998), Cecília (born 2006), and Leila (born 2009). He also has a son named Miguel (born 1997) from another relationship.

Music Albums (Discography)

• 1996 Alfagamabetizado
• 1998 Omelete Man
• 2001 Bahia do Mundo, Mito e Verdade
• 2003 Carlinhos Brown é Carlito Marrón
• 2004 Candyall Beat
• 2007 A Gente Ainda Não Sonhou
• 2010 Adobró
• 2010 Diminuto
• 2012 Mixturada Brasileira
• 2014 Marabó
• 2014 Vibraaasil
• 2015 Sarau du Brown
• 2016 ‘’Artefireaccua’’
• 2017 ‘’Semelhantes’’
• 2020 ‘’Axé Inventions’’
• 2020 ‘’Umbalista’’
• 2020 ‘’Carlinhos Brown Kids e Paxuá e Paramim’’
• 2022 ‘’Sim.Zas’’
• 2022 ‘’ElectroTribalistas’’
• 2023 ‘’Pop Xiré’’

Awards and Nominations

Carlinhos Brown has received many awards for his music. Here are some of them:

In 2003, Carlinhos Brown also received a Prince Claus Award. This award recognized his work in preserving and innovating crafts.

See also

In Spanish: Carlinhos Brown para niños