tropicália, also known as tropicalismo, was a social, artistic and musical movement that overtook brazil in the late 1960s, roughly analogous to the counterculture movements happening at the same time in other regions around the world, most notably north america and europe.

though some aspects were in rebellion against the military dictatorship of that era or against perceived conservatism in brazilian society as a whole, the music side of things was largely in reaction to the hegemony and complacency of bossa nova and brazilian pop (mpb) - although the intention was never to put an end to these styles, but rather to create and alternative to them.

tropicália never attempted to launch a new musical style, rather it focused on creating a new attitude, using elements of both popular and elite culture, often with political elements against the dictatorship.