Eli Soares

Eli Soares, born Eli Soares dos Reis, is a Brazilian Christian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Known for combining gospel music with elements of soul, R&B, pop and Brazilian groove, he has become one of the prominent contemporary voices in Brazilian Christian music. His songs often bring together devotional lyrics, sophisticated arrangements and a strong emphasis on vocal expression.

Soares began gaining national attention after winning gospel music competitions in Belo Horizonte in 2009, which helped make possible the recording of his debut album, Casa de Deus. His career expanded significantly after he became the first gospel artist signed by Universal Music Christian Group in Brazil in 2013. Since then, he has built an extensive catalogue and earned multiple Latin Grammy Awards, including recognition for Laboratório do Groove, Nós and Memóri4s (Ao Vivo). His song “Me Ajude a Melhorar” remains one of his best-known recordings.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Eli Soares was born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, where he developed an interest in music while growing up. His early involvement in Christian music eventually led him toward songwriting and performance, with his church background becoming an important foundation for his artistic development.

In 2009, Soares won the Festsêmani gospel music festival, organized by Igreja Batista Getsêmani in Belo Horizonte. That same year, he won the gospel music competition Showveiro, a contest associated with TV Rede Super. The prize from Showveiro helped finance the recording of his first album, giving the young musician an opportunity to move from local performances into professional recording.

Casa de Deus and the Beginning of His Career

Soares released his debut album, Casa de Deus, in 2010. The project introduced his songwriting and vocal style to a wider Christian audience and established the foundation for the career that followed.

His early work combined the worship-centered themes of Brazilian gospel with a musical approach that allowed room for soul, contemporary R&B and other influences. This combination gradually became one of the characteristics that distinguished him from many artists working within the Brazilian gospel market.

In the early 2010s, Soares moved to Rio de Janeiro, where his career continued to develop. His growing reputation eventually attracted the attention of Universal Music Christian Group. In 2013, he became the first gospel artist signed by the label’s Christian music division in Brazil. Universal subsequently reissued Casa de Deus in 2014.

Breakthrough and Me Ajude a Melhorar

A major turning point came with “Me Ajude a Melhorar,” one of Soares’ most recognizable songs. Released in the early part of his career, the song received strong radio exposure and became particularly popular among Brazilian Christian music listeners. According to biographical records, it reached the top position on several radio stations in 2014 and accumulated millions of views on YouTube.

The song’s success helped establish Soares as more than a promising new gospel singer. Its combination of a direct prayer-like lyric, memorable melody and contemporary arrangement reflected the musical identity he would continue developing throughout his career.

His subsequent albums expanded that identity. Among the projects released during the following years were Eli Soares in 2011, Casa de Deus in its Universal reissue, Luz do Mundo in 2016 and Memórias in 2017.

Musical Style and Notable Albums

Soares’ music is rooted in Christian faith but is not restricted to one musical formula. His arrangements frequently draw from soul, R&B, pop and groove, while his lyrics focus on themes such as worship, grace, faith, dependence on God, hope and spiritual transformation.

The influence of groove became particularly prominent in his later work. In 2021, he released Laboratório do Groove, a project that explored rhythmic and contemporary elements while maintaining the devotional character of his songwriting. The album became an important part of his artistic development and earned him his first Latin Grammy for Best Portuguese-Language Christian Music Album.

Other significant projects include Memórias 2, Memórias 3, 360 Graus, 10 Anos, Nós, Vida, Me Ajude a Melhorar and Memórias Deluxe. Through these releases, Soares has repeatedly revisited both personal worship and broader expressions of Brazilian Christian music.

Latin Grammy Recognition

International recognition became a major part of Soares’ career during the 2020s. His first Latin Grammy came in 2022 for Laboratório do Groove. He followed that achievement in 2023 with another win for Nós, reinforcing his position within the Latin Christian music scene.

In 2025, Soares won his third Latin Grammy as an artist for Memóri4s (Ao Vivo). He had also previously received a Latin Grammy in 2019 in the Best Portuguese-Language Christian Music Album category as a producer. His run of nominations made him one of the most consistently recognized Brazilian gospel artists at the awards.

His recognition continued in 2026. Betel (Ao Vivo) received a nomination for Best Portuguese-Language Christian Music Album at the Latin Grammy Awards, marking Soares’ ninth consecutive nomination. The live project was recorded on April 30, 2026, and features collaborations with Bruna Karla, Ton Carfi, Midian Lima, Morada and Maria Pita.

Recent Career and Collaborations

Soares has remained highly active in the second half of the 2020s. In May 2026, he released Live in Recife, a live project that included a new performance of “Me Ajude a Melhorar.” The project revisited one of the songs most closely associated with his career while presenting it within a contemporary live setting.

He also received a Gold Record recognition for “Fé para o Impossível,” an original song he wrote for the soundtrack of the Brazilian film Fé para o Impossível. The film starred Vanessa Giácomo, Dan Stulbach and Júlia Gomes and became a notable release in Brazilian cinema.

Later in 2026, Soares began the Inteligência Natural project, which explores familiar songs from the gospel repertoire through new arrangements influenced by groove and contemporary production. The project produced singles including “Me Atraiu,” “É Tudo Sobre Você” and “Estamos de Pé.”

In September 2026, he released the four-song EP Quero Louvar, which forms part of Inteligência Natural. The title track also received a music video directed by Mike Lacerda. The project reflects Soares’ continuing interest in combining Christian worship with a more contemporary and creatively exploratory musical language.

Legacy and Influence

Eli Soares has built his career around a distinctive meeting point between Brazilian gospel and contemporary soul, R&B and groove. Rather than abandoning the devotional foundation of Christian music, he has used modern production and varied musical influences to expand the way those themes can be presented.

From the local competitions that helped launch his career in Belo Horizonte to his work with Universal Music, international awards and increasingly ambitious live projects, Soares has developed into an established figure in Brazilian Christian music. His catalogue includes worship songs, contemporary gospel recordings, collaborative projects and genre-conscious productions, giving his career considerable stylistic range.

With new music continuing to appear in 2026, including Live in Recife, Betel (Ao Vivo) and Quero Louvar, Eli Soares remains an active recording artist whose work continues to connect Brazilian Christian songwriting with contemporary popular music.