Tim Maia (born 1942) was born in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro. As a result of his upbringing, Maia quickly became obsessed with music and became a staple in his local scene, forming close relations with musicians like Roberto Carlos and Jorge Ben, who would later help him get a recording deal at CBS.
Maia distinguished himself from his peers by incorporating soul and funk with his Brazilian upbringing. Away from his music, Maia was also set on creating his own path for better or for worse: he served several stints in prison, his favourite cocktail was cocaine, cannabis and whiskey, he had five marriages and at least six children. Whilst these tales reflect many a rock and roll lifestyle, Maia strangely became obsessed with the Racional Cult, a cult which obsessed over the existence of UFOs and human's return to nature. It took over Maia’s life. He cut out alcohol, drugs and red meat but he also rerecorded the lyrics of his finished album for the cult despite the fact the record company would drop him for this.
Maia’s legacy is a confusing one. He was a larger-than-life man. He was the epitome of excess and those around him found him barely tolerable but his music combined the brilliance and rhythms of Brazilian music with soulful funk like no one had done before.
For Tim Maia's albums click here.
