01
Samba
Brazil's national soul — born in Rio's favelas, now a UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
▲ Steady·Score +12
Brazil
Best Brazilian Music Genres of All Time
Brazil has gifted the world with more musical genres per capita than any other nation — these are the greatest.
Pick your favorites · Every vote moves the ranking · Results update live
02
Choro
Brazil's first urban popular music — virtuosic, improvisational and deeply expressive.
▲ Steady·Score +11
03
Tropicália
The 1960s counter-cultural movement mixing samba, rock, psychedelia and avant-garde.
▲ Steady·Score +11
04
M
Maracatu
Pernambuco's ancient Afro-Brazilian ceremonial music with powerful percussion traditions.
▲ Steady·Score +9
05
Sertanejo
Brazil's country music — the most-listened genre in Brazil today with massive popularity.
▲ Steady·Score +8
06
Bossa Nova
The sophisticated fusion of samba and jazz that seduced the entire world in the 1950s-60s.
▲ Steady·Score +4
07
Funk Carioca
Rio's electronic baile funk — raw, bass-heavy and the heartbeat of the favela.
▲ Steady·Score +4
08
Pagode
Samba's more intimate, acoustic cousin — born in Rio's backyards with cavaquinho and pandeiro.
▲ Steady·Score +4
09
Axé
Bahia's electrifying carnival music that drives Salvador's 2.5-million street party.
▲ Steady·Score +3
10
MPB (Música Popular Brasileira)
A broad genre blending samba, bossa nova and folk — Caetano, Gil and Elis Regina's home.
▲ Steady·Score +3
11
Forró
Northeast Brazil's accordion-driven dance music — joyful, rhythmic and deeply rooted.
▲ Steady·Score +2
12
Baião
Luiz Gonzaga's northeastern rhythmic genre — accordion, zabumba and triangle in perfect harmony.
▲ Steady·Score +1
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