Belô Velloso

Origin

Santo Amaro, BA

Also known as

Isabel Teles Velloso de Mesquita

Years Active

1990

Genres

MPB, samba, pop

Instruments

voz, violão

Biography

Isabel Teles Velloso de Mesquita, artistically known as Belô Velloso, is a singer-songwriter from Bahia with an illustrious musical lineage. Born in Santo Amaro, she is the daughter of writer Mabel Velloso and the niece of two of the greatest icons of Brazilian music: Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia. Her artistic nickname was an affectionate suggestion from her grandmother, Dona Canô, who called her "Bibelô". In 1990, she moved to Rio de Janeiro with the aim of consolidating her artistic career.

Her recording debut took place in 1996 with a self-titled album that featured her famous uncles and included compositions by Adriana Calcanhotto and Jorge Ben Jor. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Belô became a frequent voice on Rede Globo telenovela soundtracks, with hits such as "Por Te Querer" and "Menos Carnaval". The artist also stood out for her technological pioneering, being the first Brazilian woman to launch an online radio station (MPB WebRadio) and to own her own online store for selling digital audio.

With a relevant international career, Belô has been recognized several times by The New York Times and has carried out extensive tours in the United States, such as the "Latinas, Women of Latin America" project. Her discography spans MPB and samba, demonstrating versatility in interpreting everything from Roberto Carlos classics to reggae versions of international hits, always maintaining the characteristic sophistication of her Bahian origin.

Discography

• Belô Velloso (1996)
• Um Segundo (1997)
• Marés (1999)
• Belovelloso@Custico (2000)
• Belô Samba (2007)
• Acústico (2008)
• Pegue ou Largue (2008)
• Versão Brasileira (2009)
• The Old Fashioned Way (2018)