Michel Teló

Michel Teló
Michel Teló in the Sertanejo Pop Festival
Background information
Born	(1981-01-21) January 21, 1981 Medianeira, Paraná, Brazil
Genres	Sertanejo, Country, Pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, dancer
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Universal Music Brazil
Website	www.micheltelo.com.br

Michel Teló (Portuguese pronunciation: [miˈʃɛw teˈlɔ]; Medianeira, Paraná, Brazil January 21, 1981) is a Brazilian singer and composer. After being vocalist in various bands, most notably "Grupo Tradição", before going solo. His biggest national and international hit is "Ai se eu te pego!", a number 1 in most European countries.

Beginnings

From his early years, Teló has dedicated his life to music. His artistic career began in 1987 when, as a six-year-old, he made ​​his first solo performance in his school choir, singing a piece by Roberto Carlos and Erasmo Carlos. At 10, his musical talent blossomed when his father gave him an accordion. At the age of 12, upon encouragement by neighbors, school friends and his brothers, he formed a young band for playing traditional music, which was called "Guri" and served to strengthen Teló taste in music in a professional organized manner. He was the band's lead singer. Besides his love for the harmonica, Michel also took piano lessons for five years. He was also dancer and played the accordion, harmonica and guitar.

In Grupo Tradição (1997–2008)

In 1997, Teló was just 16 when he was invited to join the band "Grupo Tradição", making part of the band for eleven years as lead vocal, until 2008. His career as a singer took off as he sang the band's biggest hits, such as "Barquinho", "O Caldeirão", "Pra Sempre Minha Vida", "A Brasileira" and "Eu Quero Você". During such period of time, he was the band's front figure, conducting most of the interviews and promotions. According to Teló's former producer Wagner, he left without creating any enmity or hard feelings, as Teló made clear that he wanted to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Guilherme Bertoldo, but the band had lost most of its appeal due to his departure and soon members began to quit the band, not having enough trust in the viability of the band without Michel.

Solo career (2008-present)

Michel Teló live

The album Balada Sertaneja was released in 2009 by Brazilian record label Som Livre. It was produced by Ivan Myazato and resulted in two singles: "Ei, psiu! Beijo me liga", a great commercial success, and "Amanhã sei lá". The release of the live album Michel Teló - Ao Vivo was an even bigger success and awarded Teló a gold disc. This culminated in a huge concert on September 16th 2011 attended by reportedly 50 thousand people in a double ticket, which included Teló and João Bosco & Vinícius at Terraço Daslu. Throughout 2011 Michel Teló made over 240 shows. According to Forbes magazine, Teló's "Fugidinha Tour" was attended by more than 17 million people and Teló has reportedly made $18 million dollars in 2011. Teló has also released two DVDs, one containing songs from the 1980s and 1990s, in collaboration with Milionário & José Rico, Bruno e Marrone and João Bosco & Vinícius, and the other, entitled Michel na Balada, including new songs.

International fame

His international fame came from the release of "Ai se eu te pego!", a #1 in many countries including Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, and France, and a charting hit in many others. The song got huge boost in Brazil after Neymar danced to it in a famous video footage of Santos FC players. It is well known Neymar is a favourite player of Michel Teló. The song gained further international attention when Real Madrid's players Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo Vieira danced to it after Ronaldo scored a goal.Also, Panathinaikos FC players danced to this song after scoring a goal against rivals PAOK FC. Since then, the song has been a craze with a big number of football players dancing to its tune. (For a comprehensive listing, refer to song page at "Ai se eu te pego!")

Teló announced he was embarking on a tour in the United States to promote the song in an English language version entitled "Oh, If I Catch You!". He is already well known amongst the American Hispanic communities.

Awards and nominations

At the beginning of his solo career, he released his first album titled Balada Sertaneja which was not a big commercial success, but was still nominated in the category for "Musical Revelation of the Year".

However his live album Michel Teló - Ao Vivo was hugely successful and brought him nomination for a Latin Grammy "Best Sertanejo Album".

In 2011 Michel was nominated at the 2011 "Melhores do Movimento Country" for 4 categories: "Best Singer Solo" "Hit of the Year" for "Ai se eu te pego!", "Best CD" for album Michel Teló - Ao Vivo and "Best Show".

Michel was also nominated for four categories in Premio Multishow de Música Brasileira for "Best Singer", "Musical Revelation," "Best Sertanejo Artist" and "Best Music" for "Ai se eu te pego!"

At Prêmio Vagalume, Michel was nominated for "Site of the Year" and "Social Network" awards.

Charities

In August 2011, Teló took part in the 26th edition of Criança Esperança charity programme alongside Braziliam musicians Leonardo, Zezé Di Camargo & Luciano, Chitãozinho & Xororó and Adair Cardoso. The event was held at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

In December 2011, he took part in the 13th edition of Futebol contra a Fome (Portuguese for "Football Against Hunger") charity event at Parque do Sabiá in Uberlândia together with Brazlian celebrities Daniel Alves, Neymar, Gusttavo Lima and Marrone. The event is promoted by brothers Fernando and Alexandre Pires and aims to collecting food donations for poor families. Teló was the top scorer of the match along with professional football player Vagner Love, having scored two goals each.

In popular culture

• Teló's biggest influences have been Luiz Gonzaga, Chitãozinho & Xororó, Leonardo (real name Jader Moreci Teixeira) and Zezé Di Camargo & Luciano.
• He took part in Big Brother Brasil 11 alongside João Bosco & Vinícius and Fernando & Sorocaba
• In October 2011, he was a guest presenter to replace Eliana on her show during the presenter's maternity leave.
• He was one of 21 participants in Domingão do Faustão program Sufoco.
• "Fugidinha" written by Rodriguinho and Tiaguinho of the group Exaltasamba was interpreted by Michel Teló, and was featured on O Melhor do Brasil on the television station Rede Record. The song also became a theme song for the soap opera series Malhação broadcast on Rede Globo for two consecutive years.

Discography

Further information: Michel Teló discography

Albums

• 2009: Balada Sertaneja

Live albums

• 2010: Michel Teló - Ao Vivo
• 2011: Michel na Balada

Singles

• 2009: "Ei, psiu! Beijo, me liga"
• 2010: "Amanhã sei lá"
• 2010: "Fugidinha"
• 2011: "Se intrometeu"
• 2011: "Larga de Bobeira"
• 2011: "Ai se eu te pego!"
• 2011: "Eu te amo e Open Bar"
• 2012: "If I Catch You"

Featured in

• 2010: "Alô" (Léo & Junior feat. Michel Teló)

External links

• Micheltelo.com.br – official website
• ai se eu te pego - official video