When I first saw the DVD of her MTV concert, I understood immediately why this woman was at the top of the Brazilian music industry. Her performance was like nothing else I had ever experienced. First, there was her voice, which remains clear and strong even while she’s busy owning the stage with exuberant dance moves and soulful choreography. The fans knew every word of her songs and was completing verses for her like a 100,000 member chorus. At the same time, the entire crowd was dancing, like one giant living thing pulsing to the rhythms.

This brings me to the dancers she uses at her performances; they are simply amazing with their combination of various dance styles from Salsa to African. In fact the entire stage is busy with dancers, musicians, and Ivete herself, who moves around the stage with the energy of a dynamo.

It’s hard not to move your body to Ivete’s music, because it’s a hypnotic blend of so many musical traditions. You can recognize the influence of Africa, Jamaica, the Latin Carribean, and South America all blending to make a sound uniquely Brazilian.

One of her latest songs that I’m enjoying is called “Cadê Dalila?” with an obvious Middle Eastern influence layered into the rich music. It became a #1 single on Brazil’s Hot 100 chart and could be heard everywhere during Carnival 2009. -Will Bradford