# Liniker

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Brazilian singer-songwriter and activist

Liniker Liniker in 2023. Background information Born Liniker de Barros Ferreira Campos (1995-07-03) July 3, 1995 (age 31) Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil Genres Black music, Soul music, Samba rock Occupation Singer Years active 2015–present

Musical artist

**Liniker de Barros Ferreira Campos** ([Araraquara](/source/Araraquara), 3 July 1995), widely known as **Liniker**, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter and former bandleader for Brazilian [soul](/source/Soul_music) and [Black music](/source/Black_music) band [Liniker e os Caramelows](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liniker_e_os_Caramelows). Her voice has been described as 'powerful and low-pitched' with a 'slightly raspy, soul-singer' character[1] as well as 'versatile' with a 'recurrent falsetto' and 'easily recognisable timbre'—with occasional comparisons arising towards [Tim Maia](/source/Tim_Maia).[2] Liniker is an openly [trans woman](/source/Trans_woman), and her music is an influence on young Brazilians facing [gender discrimination](/source/Sexism), an audience which 'rarely finds itself represented in [Brazilian music](/source/Music_of_Brazil).'[2]

## Biography

### Early life and adolescence

Liniker was born in the city of [Araraquara](/source/Araraquara) in rural [São Paulo state](/source/S%C3%A3o_Paulo_(state)). Her mother Ângela raised her as a [single mother](/source/Single_parent).[3] Liniker reports how she always wanted to wear her mother's clothes: 'I was OK with myself, the city was the problem...when I came back to Araraquara, I thought I'd show them who I really was [by wearing a dress with lipstick and earrings on]. This is when my uncle confronted me, he wanted to know what was going on and gave me one of his clothes to wear so I would learn "how to dress like a man", to which I thanked but said I wasn't taking it. And then my mother said, "Let Liniker be, he's an artist."'[1]

Having grown up in a musical family, Liniker was exposed to [samba rock](/source/Samba_rock), as well as [jazz](/source/Jazz), [soul](/source/Soul_music), and [R&B](/source/R%26B). She started writing songs at age 16. At 18, she left Araraquara to pursue her passion for the arts, especially tap dance and drama.[4] In 2014, she relocated to [Santo André](/source/Santo_Andr%C3%A9) to pursue [drama school](/source/Drama_school), where she was encouraged by rapper [Linn da Quebrada](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linn_da_Quebrada) to come out as trans and start wearing her signature skirts-lipstick-turban look on a regular basis.[2]

### Musical career and activism

In 2015, Liniker formed the band [Liniker e os Caramelows](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liniker_e_os_Caramelows)[5] (formerly Os Caramelows, a play on words with 'caramel' and 'mellow') with friends. Songs are entirely written by Liniker.[2] Their first concert took place when the band was one day old.[6]

The video for the single *Zero* from EP *Cru* (*Raw*) went viral on [YouTube](/source/YouTube) and peaked 1.5 million views in the space of a week.[7] In 2016, the band released *Remonta* (*Reassembling*). They began touring around Brazil as well as internationally,[7] having performed in Europe, Latin America, Africa and the US. Audiences were able to enjoy the music even though failing to understand their [Portuguese](/source/Portuguese_language) lyrics.[2]

In 2019, the album *Goela Abaixo* (*Down My Throat*) was nominated for the [Latin Grammy Award for Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album](/source/Latin_Grammy_Award_for_Best_Portuguese_Language_Rock_or_Alternative_Album) in [2019](/source/20th_Annual_Latin_Grammy_Awards).[8]

The band describe their music as new Brazilian Black music or "funzy" (a 'nearly indescribable fusion'),[9] highlighting [Black music](/source/Black_music)'s deep influence throughout Latin America. In *Goela Abaixo*, elements of Caribbean and African music, as well as verses in English and Spanish are noticeable. In it, Liniker affirms her body as 'political' and exhibits global ambitions as a representative of the [African diaspora](/source/African_diaspora).[2]

In 2020, after 5 years active, the band have announced their separation with a [farewell tour](/source/Farewell_tour) scheduled for the second semester of 2020. This however has not taken place yet due to the consequences of the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic). In the meantime, Liniker goes on with her solo career.[6]

Liniker uses her position as a well-known artist to promote social change and represent Black trans culture in a hostile social environment. She feels she has a responsibility to speak up about the violence against [queer](/source/Queer) people in Brazil.[9] However, she also expressed discontent that sometimes, especially during her [transition](/source/Gender_transitioning), too much time in interviews was spent discussing her gender, and comparatively little discussing her music.[6]

In November 2022, Liniker became the first[10] trans woman to win a Latin Grammy. She won the category Melhor Álbum de Música Popular Brasileira ([Best MPB Album](/source/Latin_Grammy_Award_for_Best_MPB_Album)) for her first solo album [Indigo Borboleta Anil](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_Borboleta_Anil), which mixes lyrics in English and Portuguese languages and incorporates elements of [MPB](/source/M%C3%BAsica_popular_brasileira), R&B, Soul, Jazz, Reggae, beyond Samba. In her speech, she got emotional and highlighted that something historical happened in her country that day.

### Partnership with Johnny Hooker and *Flutua*

In 2017, Liniker partnered up with Brazilian singer [Johnny Hooker](/source/Johnny_Hooker) on single *Flutua* (*It Floats*). The single cover features both singers French-kissing. The song is a cry from the heart against [homophobia](/source/Homophobia) in Brazil.[11] As the lyrics go: 'No one will have the power/ to want to tell us how to love.'

### Views on queer rights

When asked if she had a message for conservative people who are against birth control, abortion and gays, Liniker replied: 'It's my body. I am free to do what I want with it. If I have this entireness, how come you want to stick your nose in it? Who do you think you are to lay down the rules I am supposed to follow? To each their own, to each body its history.'[1]

## Musical influences

Liniker lists as her main musical influences [Clube do Balanço](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clube_do_Balan%C3%A7o), [Cartola](/source/Cartola), [Elza Soares](/source/Elza_Soares), [Etta James](/source/Etta_James), [Nina Simone](/source/Nina_Simone), [Caetano Veloso](/source/Caetano_Veloso), [Gilberto Gil](/source/Gilberto_Gil), [Gal Costa](/source/Gal_Costa), [Tulipa Ruiz](/source/Tulipa_Ruiz), [Tássia Reis](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A1ssia_Reis) as well as members of her own family.[1][4]

Liniker was one of the featured performers in a televised musical tribute to [Milton Nascimento](/source/Milton_Nascimento) on the Brazilian TV series [Altas Horas](/source/Altas_Horas) in 2023. [12][13]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-auto_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-auto_1-3) Moraes, Camila (November 13, 2015). ["Liniker: "Sou negro, pobre e gay e tenho potência também""](https://brasil.elpais.com/brasil/2015/11/12/cultura/1447331706_038108.html). *EL PAÍS*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto1_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-auto1_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-auto1_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-auto1_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-auto1_2-5) Instituto Itaú Cultural. ["Liniker"](http://enciclopedia.itaucultural.org.br/pessoa640291/liniker). *Enciclopédia Itaú Cultural*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Diaz-Hurtado2017_3-0)** Diaz-Hurtado, Jessica (31 January 2017). ["Alt.Latino Extra: Liniker Barros, A Woman Who Resists By Existing"](https://www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2017/01/31/512470018/alt-latino-extra-liniker-barros-a-woman-who-resists-by-existing). *NPR.org*. Retrieved 2019-10-22.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto2_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto2_4-1) Carta, Infra (July 29, 2018). ["Liniker: "Sou dona do meu corpo e das coisas que escolho para mim""](https://www.cartacapital.com.br/diversidade/liniker-201csou-dona-do-meu-corpo-e-das-coisas-que-escolho-para-mim201d/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Liniker Is Changing the Way Trans People Are Seen in Brazil"](https://www.papermag.com/liniker-brazil-2581560257.html). *PAPER*. 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2019-10-23.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto3_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto3_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-auto3_6-2) Internet (amdb.com.br), AMDB. ["Rolling Stone · Liniker e os Caramelows anunciam separação: Entrevista Rolling Stone"](https://rollingstone.uol.com.br/noticia/liniker-e-os-caramelows-anunciam-separacao-a-entrevista-rolling-stone/). *Rolling Stone*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Rothman2018_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Rothman2018_7-1) Rothman, Jonathan (2018-07-11). ["Liniker is claiming space for queer Brazilian musicians"](https://nowtoronto.com/api/content/5d8e1b84-8528-11e8-b464-12408cbff2b0/). *NOW Magazine*. Retrieved 2019-10-23.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-billboardLG19_8-0)** Cabo, Leila (14 November 2019). ["Latin Grammys 2019 Winners: Complete List"](https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/latin-grammys-2019-winners-list-8543699/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. [MRC](/source/MRC_(company)). Retrieved 9 September 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Johnson2017_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Johnson2017_9-1) ["Liniker e os Caramelows are at the Forefront of Brazil's Black Music Movement"](https://remezcla.com/features/music/liniker-e-os-caramelows-interview/). *Remezcla*. 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2019-10-23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Liniker se torna primeira artista transgênero brasileira a vencer um Grammy Latino: 'Histórico'"](https://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/musica/noticia/2022/11/18/liniker-se-torna-primeira-artista-transgenero-brasileira-a-vencer-um-grammy-latino-historico.ghtml). *G1* (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2024-01-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Amar sem temer: Johnny Hooker e Liniker lançam clipe de "Flutua" em apelo contra homofobia"](https://blogs.opovo.com.br/foradaordem/2017/12/24/amar-sem-temer-johnny-hooker-e-liniker-lancam-clipe-de-flutua-em-apelo-contra-homofobia/). *Fora da Ordem*. December 24, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Famosos se emocionam com homenagens a Milton Nascimento em edição especial do Altas Horas"](https://gshow.globo.com/tv/altas-horas/noticia/famosos-se-emocionam-com-homenagens-a-milton-nascimento-em-edicao-especial-do-altas-horas.ghtml). 7 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Altas Horas | Liniker canta 'Encontros e Despedidas' | Globoplay"](https://globoplay.globo.com/v/11262453/).

## External links

- [Official website](https://liniker.co/)

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Liniker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liniker) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liniker?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.