Biography
Flavia Coelho is a Brazilian-born singer and songwriter whose music fuses the rhythms and traditions of her homeland with global influences. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1980, she experienced a turbulent childhood marked by her parents' separation and the early loss of her mother. Raised in the favelas of Rio, Coelho was exposed to the vibrant yet challenging realities of urban Brazil, which deeply informed her artistic sensibility. Her father, a collector of traditional Nordeste cassettes, and her mother, who worked as a hairdresser for drag queens, introduced her to a wide spectrum of music and performance art, fostering her love for both Brazilian and international sounds[1][3][4].
Coelho's musical journey began in earnest at age 14 when she joined girl groups such as As Solteirissimas and Single Ladies, performing to raise awareness among young women in the favelas. She honed her craft in Rio's bars, experimenting with styles from grunge and punk to samba and jazz. In 2006, driven by a desire for artistic freedom and adventure, she moved to Paris. There, she busked in the Metro and performed in cabarets, eventually meeting producer Victor-Attila Vagh, who became a key collaborator and helped her launch her recording career. Her debut album, 'Bossa Muffin' (2011), blended samba, reggae, bossa nova, and ragamuffin, and was followed by acclaimed releases like 'Mundo Meu' (2014) and 'DNA' (2019), the latter addressing themes such as corruption and social issues in Brazil[1][2][3][4].
Coelho is celebrated for her energetic stage presence and her ability to bridge Brazilian genres with global sounds, often drawing comparisons to Manu Chao. Her collaborations with artists like Afrobeat legend Tony Allen and Senegalese singer Cheikh Lô underscore her international reach and innovative spirit. Through her music, Coelho brings together samba, reggae, forró, hip-hop, and more, creating a vibrant, multicultural tapestry that resonates with audiences worldwide[2][3][4].
Fun Facts
- Flavia Coelho's mother was a hairdresser for drag queens in Rio, and Flavia grew up backstage in cabarets, learning about performance and stage presence from a young age.
- Her first major break in Paris came while busking and singing in cabarets, where she was discovered by her future producer Victor-Attila Vagh.
- She once fronted an all-girl group called Single Ladies in Brazil, where she was the only member who was not pregnant.
- Coelho's music is known for blending samba, reggae, bossa nova, ragamuffin, and even Afrobeat, reflecting her passion for mixing Brazilian and Jamaican influences.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Her mother - Introduced her to music, cabaret culture, and performance through work as a hairdresser for drag queens in Rio (Early childhood exposure, informal mentorship) [1980s-1990s]
- Victor-Attila Vagh - Producer and musical mentor who discovered her in Paris, helped shape her sound and produced her albums (Bossa Muffin (2011), Mundo Meu (2014), DNA (2019)) [2006-present]
Key Collaborators
- Victor-Attila Vagh - Producer, pianist, and bassist; core member of her trio and key collaborator on all major albums (Bossa Muffin (2011), Mundo Meu (2014), DNA (2019)) [2006-present]
- Tony Allen - Afrobeat drummer who played and arranged horns on the track 'People Dansa' from 'Mundo Meu' (Mundo Meu (2014), track: 'People Dansa') [2014]
- Cheikh Lô - Senegalese singer with whom she has performed and collaborated (Live performances, collaborative projects) [2010s]
Artists Influenced
- No widely documented direct proteges or students - Her multicultural approach and fusion of Brazilian and global genres have influenced emerging artists in world music, but specific names are not cited in available sources (General influence on contemporary world music scene) [2010s-present]
Source: Wikipedia
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sonho Real | 2016-10-07 | Album |
| Regarde | 2025-06-13 | Album |
| Demain peut-être (Reload) | 2025-04-11 | Album |
| DNA | 2019-10-18 | Album |
| Bossa Muffin (Deluxe Edition) | 2010 | Album |
| Mundo Meu (Bonus Track Version) | 2014-06-02 | Album |
| Ginga | 2024-05-31 | Album |
| Soft Power | 2020-06-19 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Balade brésilienne
- Temontou (Sonho Real)
- Sunshine - Acoustic Version (Bossa Muffin (Deluxe Edition))
- Degg Gui (feat. Flavia Coelho & Fixi)
- Billy Django (DNA)
- Na Favela (Sonho Real)
- Li Sem - L'Entourloop Remix
- Café Com Leite (Soft Power)
- Café Com Leite - Boogát Remix
- Li Sem - L'Entourloop Remix
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Flavia Coelho has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 20, 2025 | 14:25 | Periferiafrom Bossa Muffin | Tudo Bem (Brazilian)w/ Dean Ellis | |
| Nov 1, 2025 | 14:55 | Na Favelafrom Sonho Real | Tudo Bem (Brazilian)w/ Dean Ellis | |
| Sep 13, 2025 | 15:07 | Passou Passoufrom Meu Mundo | Tudo Bem (Brazilian)w/ Dean Ellis |