Leci Brandão

Leci Brandão, a pioneering female artist, made history in 1974 by becoming the first woman to join Mangueira's Ala dos Compositores. Over the years, she penned numerous hits like "Antes Que Eu Volte a Ser Nada" and "Olodum Força Divina," earning accolades such as a gold record for Um Beijo No Seu Coração and two Sharp prizes for Cidadã Brasileira. Brandão's musical journey began at 16, and by 19, she was already composing sambas. Her career highlights include winning the II Encontro Nacional de Compositores de Samba in 1973 and achieving success with the track "Essa Tal Criatura" in 1980.

Despite facing rejection from record labels for five years, Brandão remained resilient, actively participating in political campaigns and touring internationally. Her significant achievements include participating in the Projeto Pixinguinha and releasing acclaimed albums like Dignidade in 1987. Notably, her composition "Olodum Força Divina" from the 1988 LP Um Beijo No Seu Coração earned her a gold record, while her 1990 album Cidadã Brasileira received two Sharp prizes, solidifying her status as a celebrated artist in the Brazilian music scene.