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‘Today’s Brazilians have no idea what it feels like to lose democracy’: Joyce Moreno on her battles to become a Latin musical great
Joyce Moreno reflects on the sexism, political repression and industry resistance she faced while becoming one of Brazil’s leading singer-songwriters. Now 78, she says younger Brazilians may not understand the experience of losing democracy, having lived through the country’s military dictatorship as her career developed; her story also highlights the barriers faced by women creating music in their own voice.
Moreno began performing as “Joyce” in the 1960s and drew criticism at 19 for singing candidly from a female perspective. She resisted pressure to present herself as a stereotypically sexualised performer, sued a record label after it shared her song blueprints with another singer, and says she was subsequently boycotted by major labels for a decade. Despite this, she has written more than 400 songs and released over 30 albums; her new record, *Joyce & Tutty Moreno*, is made with her longtime partner, jazz drummer Tutty Moreno.
In short
- Joyce Moreno overcame sexism, censorship and industry hostility.
- She warns against taking Brazilian democracy for granted.
- Her career now spans 400 songs and 30 albums.
Explained simply
Brazil’s military dictatorship began in 1964 and lasted until 1985, restricting political freedoms and censoring parts of public life. Joyce Moreno started her music career during this period, when Brazil’s cultural scene was shaped by both political pressure and changing ideas about women’s roles.
Moreno became known for writing and singing from a woman’s point of view, at a time when record companies often expected female performers to fit narrow images. Her disputes with the music industry, including a legal case over her songs, form part of a wider history of women seeking control over their creative work.
Over several decades, Moreno has built a career as a singer-songwriter, releasing more than 30 albums and writing hundreds of songs. Her experience also connects Brazil’s musical history with the country’s shift from dictatorship to democracy, which younger generations have known only as a democratic system.
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