Hump Day History


 For all the conversation around Bad Bunny singing in Spanish, you'd think Americans have never accepted another language on the radio or screen.

But obviously that's not true.  Notably, there have been Spanish hits, such as La Bamba, Macarena, and Despacito.  But there was also an Italian song in 1958, and Sergio Mendes in 1966.


The first time a song sung entirely in Portuguese achieved success in the US.

Sergio was born on this day in 1941, and died at the age of 83.

He was a pioneering pianist and composer who revolutionized bossa nova - a genre of Brazilian music that blends traditional samba rhythms with cool jazz harmonies.  This was infused into his music even when English lyrics were used.


He was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for Best Original Song.


It should be noted, it is Carnival in Brazil.



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