Fernando Brant
- Origin
- Caldas, MG
- Years active
- 1966–2015
- Genres
- mpb, clube da esquina
Biography
Fernando Brant was one of the most significant lyricists in the history of Brazilian music, particularly associated with the "Clube da Esquina" movement in Minas Gerais. Born in Caldas and raised in Belo Horizonte, he began his career as a journalist and law student before his friend Milton Nascimento encouraged him to write lyrics. Their first collaboration, "Travessia," became a landmark in MPB after winning second place at the 1967 International Song Festival, launching a partnership that would produce over 200 songs.\n\nHis writing often captured the essence of the Minas Gerais landscape, urban nostalgia, and profound themes of friendship and social change. Brant’s lyrics gave voice to some of the most celebrated melodies by artists such as Lô Borges, Wagner Tiso, and Tavinho Moura. Some of his most enduring works include "Maria, Maria," "Canção da América," and "Paisagem da Janela," which remain staples of the Brazilian cultural identity.\n\nBeyond his creative contributions, Brant was a dedicated advocate for the rights of music creators. He served as the president of the Brazilian Union of Composers (UBC) for several decades, fighting for fair copyright laws and better conditions for musicians. His death in 2015 was widely mourned across Brazil, marked by tributes from fellow artists and fans who considered him the poet of the Minas Gerais musical soul.