Gilberto Gil and Other Artists Coming Together

In the 1980s, Brazil's attention started to turn to social and environmental issues. Many performers embraced this trend, writing and recording songs that revered nature or protested against human mistreatment of the environment. 

Around this time, a lot of collective projects also emerged around specific causes. One such project was Nordeste Já, in 1985.

A group of 155 well-known Brazilian singers came together to record two tracks with the aim of raising funds from record sales to help the deprived population in northeastern Brazil. 

Aiming to be a Brazilian version of the US hit We Are the World—which brought singers together to raise funds for Africa—Nordeste Já was a collective, creative effort to embrace the cause of drought-ridden northeastern Brazil. 

Four years later, in 1989, Gil once again joined up with some big names in Brazilian music to take part in the Spirit of the Forest project to record a single with the same title, released by Richard Branson and Earth Love Fund.

Richard Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group, and is also involved in the music business. Earth Love Fund was a  collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme. 

Artists from around the globe were invited to come together to draw the world's attention to the importance of protecting the environment. Taking part in Los Angeles were Joni Mitchell, Brian Wilson, Olivia Newton-John, and many others.

In London, David Gilmour, Ringo Starr, and Jon Anderson were among those involved, while Donna Summer, Iggy Pop, the Ramones, Africa Bambaataa, and others gathered in New York.

 Performing on the Brazilian single—released by RCA Victor—were Rita Lee, Ney Matogrosso, Gal Costa, Renato Russo, Djavan, Sandra de Sá, Ivan Lins, and Gilberto Gil.