Luiz Carlos

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Luiz Carlos da Silva

Years Active

1983–present

Genres

pagode, samba, romantic pagode

Biography

Luiz Carlos da Silva, born in São Paulo on February 1, 1957, is a Brazilian singer and songwriter, widely recognized as the lead singer and leader of the romantic pagode group Raça Negra. His musical career began in 1983, when he founded the group "A Cor do Samba", which later, at the suggestion of fans, was renamed Raça Negra. With Raça Negra, Luiz Carlos became one of the pioneers of romantic pagode, introducing horn and synthesizer arrangements to traditional samba instrumentation, which revolutionized the recording industry in the 1990s and turned the genre into a mass phenomenon. The group has sold over 16 million records and charted countless hits, such as "Caroline", "Cheia de Manias", "É Tarde Demais" (which entered the Guinness Book for being the most played song in a single day, with 600 plays), "Cigana" and "Doce Paixão".

In addition to his work with Raça Negra, Luiz Carlos also explored a solo career, releasing the albums "Meu Charme" (1997) and "É Assim Mesmo" (1998). In these works, he presented a more soul and gospel-influenced take on his own compositions and covers, demonstrating his musical versatility. The song "Sempre há uma saída", from his first solo album, was part of the soundtrack of the telenovela "Por Amor", broadcast by Rede Globo in 1998, and featured a guest appearance by Jorge Aragão. Luiz Carlos also ventured into politics, running for city councilman in São Paulo in 2008, under the ballot name "Luiz Carlos do Raça Negra".

Luiz Carlos is known for his skill as a songwriter, turning personal experiences and catchy phrases into hit lyrics. He has collaborated with various artists and participated in projects such as "Gigantes do Samba", alongside Alexandre Pires and Belo. His influence on Brazilian music is undeniable, opening doors for new generations of pagode and romantic samba artists and cementing Raça Negra as one of the pillars of Brazilian popular music.

Discography

• Tributo a Jessé (2012)
• Revolução Brasileira (2017)
• Contramão (2019)
• Momentos de Amar (2022)