Maria Bethânia was born in Santo Amaro da Purificação, Bahia, in 1946, she is one of the principal Brazilian interpreters of the 60's generation. She is Caetano Veloso's sister, and was the first artist of the group to start a career in the south of Brazil. She was initially identified as a protest singer, when she sang and made popular "Carcará" in 1965. Next she varied her repertory, but preferred not to participate in the tropicalist movement organized by her colleagues.

In 1971, with "Rosa dos ventos" (Rose of the winds) she started a series of shows with theatrical developments that definitely consecrated her. She then crystallized a model of dramatic interpreter, very powerful on-stage, that singles her out amidst other Brazilian singers. The solid career built up by Maria Bethânia is also upheld by successes such as "A tua presença" (Your presence), "Esse cara" (This guy), "Drama", "Iansã", "Coração ateu" (Atheist heart) and others.