PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC, JOINTLY WITH NAS NUVENS MUSIC GROUP,
PARTNERS WITH THE BRAZILIAN COMPOSER, SINGER, AND GUITARIST GILBERTO GIL
THE COMPANIES WILL ACQUIRE THE GROUNDBREAKING
ARTIST’S ICONIC CATALOG
“One of the world’s great songwriters”
– New York Times
“He has followed his muse wherever it took him, be it to bossa nova, samba, tropicália,
axé, reggae, West African highlife, jazz fusion or flat-out disco boogie.
And he has recorded masterpieces in all of them.”
– VinylFactory
New York, NY (January 26, 2026) – Primary Wave Music, in conjunction with South American partner Nas Nuvens Music Group, announces today their partnership with the award-winning Brazilian composer, singer, and guitarist, Gilberto Gil. Terms of the deal will see Primary Wave, the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world, and Nas Nuvens Music Group, Brazil’s leading independent music company focused on catalog and artist legacy, work alongside Gil on his celebrated catalog of music. This partnership is one of the most significant to emerge from South America, combining one of Brazil’s largest music transactions with the iconic stature of one of the country’s most influential cultural figures and redefining the approach to catalog and legacy partnerships in the region. The partnership will focus on the concretization and preservation of Gilberto Gil’s legacy, while accelerating the internationalization of his catalog and cultural impact among new generations, across new platforms, and to global audiences, building on the careful stewardship led by Flora Gil and the Gege team over the past decades.
One of the most important and influential figures in not just music but Brazilian culture, Gilberto Gil revolutionized Brazilian music by blending traditional genres with global influences. His career, which began in the early 60s, helped define the Tropicália movement and reshaped the trajectory of Latin music. His boundless career spans more than six decades and includes more than 60 albums. Among his most beloved songs are “Vamos Fugir,” “Aquele Abraco,” “Toda Menina Baiana,” “Andar com Fé,” “Palco,” “Realce,” and dozens of others that have become woven into Brazil’s cultural fabric. His work has earned him two Grammy Awards, nine Latin Grammy Awards, and in 2005, he was the first Latin American recipient of the prestigious Polar Music Prize.
Gil is also highly respected internationally, having collaborated with and earned the admiration of icons such as George Harrison, Stevie Wonder, and Sting. He recorded a Brazilian version of “No Woman, No Cry” and is widely regarded as a pioneer in introducing reggae to Brazil. Jimmy Cliff toured Brazil alongside Gil, and Gil recorded in Jamaica with The Wailers, producing a song that became a major international success, which further cemented his role as a bridge between Brazilian music and the global stage.
In 2025, at 83 years of age, the genre-bending artist – who is considered one of Brazil’s greatest composers – announced his farewell tour performing across South America, Europe and the States. In an interview with the New York Times to discuss his farewell tour, Gil recalled a performance by Bob Dylan saying “That calmness he has onstage, without many exuberant gestures. That’s what I wanted to soak up and apply to my own performance.” The Times then noted. “And through the years, whether his image was as an inciter of youth or an insightful philosopher, he did. Even as Gil stood onstage in São Paulo this April on his farewell tour, it was the eloquence of his words and the memories his music evoked that captivated 40,000 fans.”
Fans will continue to have a chance to celebrate Gil’s legacy as he continues his farewell tour, Tempo Rei, through 2026 which will include a headlining performance at Rock in Rio.
“Gilberto Gil is the living embodiment of Brazilian culture on the world stage, representing everything that makes Brazil unique and globally relevant. This partnership is not only iconic for Brazil, but a landmark moment for global music, recognizing the universal importance of Gil’s work. It creates a powerful bridge between Brazil and the global music ecosystem, allowing us to anchor Gil’s legacy at home while bringing his music, his image, and his story to audiences around the world.” – Jason Eliasen, CFO & COO, Nas Nuvens Music Group
“Gilberto Gil is not only one of the greatest artists Brazil has ever produced — he is part of the soul of our culture. I have had the privilege of walking alongside him for decades, as a producer, musician, composer, collaborator, and friend, and I have seen firsthand how deeply his music connects people across generations and transcends borders. I have learned a great deal by observing the wisdom he brings to everyday life. Beyond being a great artist, Gil is a great human being. At Nas Nuvens Music Group, this partnership is deeply personal to us: it is about honoring Gil’s legacy with the respect it deserves and ensuring that his music continues to travel the world with the same strength, beauty, and freedom that have always defined his work.”
– Liminha, CEO, Nas Nuvens Music Group
“We are thrilled to welcome Gilberto Gil and his family into the Primary Wave and Nas Nuvens family. We are deeply honored that Gil and team have selected Primary Wave and Nas Nuvens to help protect and grow the incredible legacy he has already given the world.”
– Bill Cisneros, President, Primary Wave Music