Maria Bethânia is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and poet. She is known as the "Queen Bee" and the "Queen of MPB" (Brazilian Popular Music).

In her youth, Bethânia participated in theatrical plays alongside her brother, the also singer and songwriter Caetano Veloso, and other prominent singers of the time. In 1965, she moved to Rio de Janeiro, where she began her musical career by replacing the singer Nara Leão in the show "Opinião." In the same year, she signed a contract with the record label RCA and released her self-titled debut album. With over 26 million records sold throughout more than 50 years of her career, Bethânia was ranked the fifth greatest voice in Brazilian music by Rolling Stone Brazil magazine in 2012.