Thiaguinho

Origin

Presidente Prudente, SP

Genres

samba, pagode, mpb, pop

Instruments

vocals, guitar, cavaquinho

Biography

Thiago André Barbosa, known professionally as Thiaguinho, is a prominent Brazilian singer, songwriter, instrumentist, and television presenter. Born in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, he displayed an early aptitude for music, learning to play the guitar at a young age and later mastering the cavaquinho before founding his first samba group as a teenager. His nationwide breakthrough came after competing in the reality talent show Fama in 2002, which paved the way for his pivotal role as the lead vocalist of the immensely popular samba and pagode group Exaltasamba from 2003 to 2012. Alongside bandmates like Péricles and Chrigor, he helped define a golden era for modern pagode before embarking on a highly successful solo career.

Following his departure from Exaltasamba, Thiaguinho launched his solo debut with the album and DVD Ousadia & Alegria in 2012, earning a Latin Grammy nomination and collaborating with major icons of Brazilian music such as Gilberto Gil and Ivete Sangalo. Over the subsequent decade, he established himself as a dominant force in the Brazilian music industry through hit records like Hey, Mundo!, Tardezinha, and Vibe. Beyond his musical endeavors, he has achieved significant success as an entrepreneur and media personality, hosting programs and managing his own entertainment company. His enduring musical partnerships with artists such as Rodriguinho further cemented his legacy within the genre.