Preta Gil

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

2002–2025

Genres

MPB, samba, axé

Instruments

voz

Biography

Preta Maria Gadelha Gil Moreira was born in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 1974. The daughter of renowned musician Gilberto Gil and businesswoman Sandra Gadelha, she grew up immersed in the artistic environment, having the acclaimed singer Gal Costa as her godmother and a close relationship with her uncle Caetano Veloso. She began her professional journey in the 1990s directing music videos for major names in Brazilian music, such as Ivete Sangalo, Ana Carolina, and Marina Lima. In 2002, she decided to pursue a career as a performer, releasing her debut album, Prêt-à Porter, the following year.

Throughout her musical journey, Preta Gil consolidated a discography marked by MPB, incorporating elements of samba and axé music. Her artistic production features standout albums such as Preta (2005), Sou Como Sou (2012), and Todas as Cores (2017). In addition to her recorded music contributions, she stood out as a businesswoman and cultural agitator, creating the Bloco da Preta, one of the main events of Rio's carnival, and co-founding the influencer marketing agency Mynd. On television, she acted in telenovelas and hosted various shows, becoming a figure with a strong media presence.

The artist also played a socially significant role, using her public visibility to combat racism, fatphobia, and homophobia. Facing the aesthetic pressures of the cultural industry, she turned her self-acceptance into a political banner and a source of empowerment for Black women and those outside traditional standards. After facing an intense battle against colorectal cancer diagnosed in 2023, Preta Gil passed away in New York on July 20, 2025, leaving an indelible legacy in Brazilian culture and activism.

Discography

• Prêt-À-Porter (2003)
• Preta (2006)
• Noite Preta (Ao Vivo) (2010)
• Sou Como Sou (2012)
• Bloco da Preta (2014)
• Todas as Cores (2017)
• Câncer com Ascendente em Virgem (Trilha Sonora Original) (2025)