SOCIAL CRITICISM OF THE MILITARY DICTATORSHIP AND ITS REPRESENTATION OF GENERATIONS THROUGH MPB (BRAZILIAN POPULAR MUSIC)

Abstract

It This study analyzes the role of the Brazilian Military Dictatorship as a regime that oppressed freedom of expression, with a focus on repression and censorship applied to the artistic and musical field. It seeks to investigate the importance of Brazilian Popular Music (MPB) as a form of resistance and social denunciation, linking the authoritarian past to the contemporary relevance of freedom of expression. We conducted qualitative and quantitative research, including group discussions, analysis of song lyrics with historical background on artists, the use of surveys, and the study of censored works. The project was structured in two main stages: the first focused on the analysis of censorship practices and the repressive methods of the regime; the second examined emblematic songs such as “Apesar de Você” (Chico Buarque, 1970) and “Cálice” (Chico Buarque and Gilberto Gil, 1973), aiming to uncover their underlying messages and the political context of their creation. The results indicate that, despite severe repression, music established itself as an effective tool of contestation. The lyrics analyzed reveal the transformative role of MPB, which functioned as a coded means of communication to express criticism of the regime and mobilize society. The research highlights the importance of preserving the memory of this period in order to reflect on the resilience of art and the risks inherent to censorship. It is concluded that Brazilian music during the Military Dictatorship transcended its aesthetic role to become a vital political expression. The study reiterates the importance of protecting freedom of expression and democratic rights, while also emphasizing the capacity of art to resist and denounce in contexts of oppression. This work contributes to the understanding of music as both a historical record and an ongoing tool for critical awareness.