Maria Odete Brito de Miranda, known professionally as Gretchen, was born in 1959
in Brazil and became a foundational figure in Brazilian pop and disco music. She
began her career as a backing vocalist before making her television debut in
1978 and recording the single “Dance With Me." Her commercial peak was defined
by a trilogy of successful albums released between 1979 and 1982: a self-titled
debut, You and Me, and Lonely. These records produced hits including “Freak Le
Boom Boom," “Melo do Piripipi," and “Conga Conga Conga." Gretchen also appeared
in the lyric video for Katy P...