Although Maria Bethânia made her recording debut with a protest song in 1965, the diva from Bahia was always less radical than her older brother, Caetano Veloso. After abandoning Tropicália's experimental tendencies in the late '70s, she became Brazil's biggest female star. While her dark alto voice can lend gravitas to almost any song, Maria Bethânia specialises in pained romantic ballads, often written by her brother. Her powerful yet intimate style is perfect for her native samba and bossa nova, and she displays sheer joy singing music from rural Brazil.