É O Tchan

Emerging from Salvador in Bahia during the early 1980s under the initial name Gera Samba, the ensemble later known as É o Tchan rose to prominence as one of the decade’s most commercially dominant samba acts. Their openly sensual stage choreography drew intense public scrutiny and debate, yet the music remained grounded in the authentic samba de roda of the Recôncavo Baiano, prompting some journalists to credit the group with advancing Brazil’s national traditions. Commercial breakthrough came only with their third album: the 1995 single “Segura o Tchan” became a nationwide hit, after which the band adopted the song’s title as its permanent name. Six additional albums followed by 2000, each achieving strong sales and steady radio rotation throughout Brazil. The lineup features Compadre Washigton, Renatinho da Bahia (who replaced Beto Jamaica), Sheila Melo (who replaced Carla Perez), Sheila Carvalho (who replaced Débora Brasil), and Jacaré.