The painful coincidence that connects Preta Gil and Arlindo Cruz and almost no one noticed

Brazilian music once again experienced a day of mourning this Friday, August 8th , a date that will remain etched in the memory of samba and MPB fans. It was when the country said goodbye toArlindo Cruz , one of the biggest names in pagode and Rio's carnival , author of hits such as "O Show Tem Que Continuar" and "Meu Lugar."

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Arlindo, now 66, earned not only awards and gold records, but also the respect and admiration of generations. His passing prompted tributes from colleagues, samba schools, and fans who had followed him since his Fundo de Quintal days.

Sad coincidence unites Preta Gil and Arlindo Cruz

Among farewell messages and shared memories, one curiosity went unnoticed by many: the date of the samba singer's farewell carries an extra meaning within Brazilian music.

August 8th is also the day that Preta Gil would have turned 51. Daughter of Gilberto Gil and goddaughter of Gal Costa , the singer and businesswoman died on July 20, 2025, at the age of 50, in New York, victim of complications from bowel cancer.

Although they followed different artistic paths—he immersed himself in samba circles and the world of Carnival schools; she moved between pop, MPB, and street Carnival—they both shared more than just a love of music. Their trajectories intersected the country's cultural imagination, each in their own way, bringing joy, representation, and Brazilian identity to the stage...

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