Gilberto Gil to Quit Brazil Cabinet Post

RIO DE JANEIRO — Gilberto Gil, who revolutionized Brazilian music in the 1960s as a founder of the Tropicalism movement, will resign his post as culture minister next year after tests revealed a potentially career-threatening polyp on his vocal cords, local media said Saturday.

The Grammy-winning artist plans to abandon his cabinet position and routine speeches to treat the polyp, which is growing where a callus was removed years ago, the daily Folha de S. Paulo reported.

Gil did not set a date for his resignation, according to the newspaper. Gil's office was closed Saturday and he could not be reached for comment.

Since his surprise appointment as culture minister in 2003, Gil has divided his time between the political and musical spheres. But troubles at a July performance gave the first indication of a recurring vocal problem.

"For the first time in many years, I had to make a tour under the pressure of losing my voice," the newspaper quoted him as saying. "That really tormented me."

Gil and his longtime friend Caetano Veloso are credited with inventing the Tropicalism movement, a blend of rock and bossa nova music.

Tropicalism eventually influenced such musicians as David Byrne, Paul Simon and Beck, but the political content of its lyrics offended the nation's 1964-1985 military dictatorship. Both Gil and Veloso were jailed in 1968 and lived in exile in London from 1969 to 1972.

Gil has sold millions of records over his 45-year career, and won a Grammy in 1998 for best world music album.

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