Source Material: Toni Tornado – “Me Libertei”

Toni Tornado is a Brazilian singer and actor from Mirante do Paranapanema, Brazil. Before his music career began, and his acting career took off, Tornado lived a full life. When he was 11, Tornado ran away from home and he went to Rio De Janiero. While there, he sold peanuts and shined shoes to make a living. At 18, he started parachuting at the Deodoro School of Parachuting. In 1957, he fought in the Suez Canal. In the early ‘60s, he moved to New York.

In New York, Tornado worked for a car wash by day and he was a pimp by night. Later in the ‘60s, Tornado started making music under the name Tony Checker. During this time, he met fellow Brazilian artist Tim Maia, and he also met the Trinidadian-American revolutionary Stokley Carmichael. Maia impacted Tornado musically, and Carmichael impacted Tornado politically.

In the early ‘70s, Tornado started singing under the name Toni Tornado, and in 1971, he released his debut album, B.R.3.  With his debut album, Tornado achieved a couple of things. He became one of the first musicians to bring funk to Brazil, he inspired a Black power movement amongst Brazilians, and he became one of the most impactful musicians in the country. The title song, “B.R.3,” was a staple throughout Brazil, but “Me Libertei” is a funky deep cut that’s deserving of recognition as well.

Toni Tornado – “Me Libertei”