Paula Lima

Paula Lima, the diva of swing, started in the music world with a group called Unidade Bop (ex- Unidade Móvel) that played acid jazz. After that, she went on to do backing vocals for the Brazilian legend Jorge Ben Jor, sang in the hit parade “Senhor Tempo Bom” for the rap duo Thaíde and DJ Hum, took part in the Zomba group and finally became the singer of Funk Como Le Gusta, a Brazilian black music group, in which she stood out singing a new version of “Meu Guarda-chuva” (Jorge Ben Jor's musical lyric from the time he was simply known as “Ben”).

In 2001 she launched her first solo CD by Regata Records entitled “É isso ai”. After two years, Universal Music launched a CD named “Paula Lima”.

Next followed, “Sinceramente”, her third album, on Indie Records. The first edition was out of print in less than one month. The album was launched in April, in Japan and it was immediately on the cover of the magazine “Latina”.

Paula was twice nominated for the “Prêmio Tim de Música 2007” (an award granted by the Brazilian cell phone carrier Tim) and also received a nomination for the “Prêmio Toddy” (another Brazilian award) as the Best MPB album. And not only that, she was also awarded with the “Raça Negra” trophy in 2006 for Best Female Singer.

She has performed alongside artists such as Jorge Ben Jor, D. Ivone Lara, Milton Nascimento, Nando Reis, Luiz Melodia, Arlindo Cruz, Zélia Duncan, Leci Brandão, Rita Lee and others.

She recently started a partnership with the group Afro Reggae, performing three concerts in the second edition of Antídoto – International Seminar of Cultural Actions in conflict zones, a project funded by Itaú Cultural. These concerts were released on DVD in early 2008.

“I'm that black girl who grew up willing to change the world and believing in it. And I try to perform my mission with my music and an open heart.” says Paula