Brazilian musicians enthrall at Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony

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NBC Olympics.com – RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Music is central part of Brazilian culture, and many of the country's stars will be performing in the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. A look at some of the artists and internationally famous songs that fans will hear opening night of the games:

THEME SONG: "AQUELE ABRACO (That Embrace)

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This is Rio de Janeiro's anthem. It was used during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Games, as well. It was composed by Grammy-award winner Gilberto Gil. In the song Gil, sends hugs to different folks from all over Rio, in that way embracing the city and viewers worldwide.

GILBERTO GIL

Grammy award winner from originally from Salvador in the northeastern state of Bahia. Gil, 74, is one of the main faces of the musical movement called Tropicalia, which consists of international and traditionally Brazilian sounds. Gil was recently hospitalized for kidney problems, and it was unclear if he would be able to perform during the ceremony.

SONG CONSTRUCAO (Construction Song)

The song, composed by Chico Buarque, is considered one of the most ingenious in Brazilian Portuguese. All the verses have a stress on the two syllables before the last. The lyrics tell the story of a builder who dies by falling from a building. Like many Brazilian songs, it also includes a love tale in the middle.