In a nod towards representation and inclusion, three black female performers from three generations are just some of the attractions confirmed for the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which will take place in three days’ time at the famous Maracanã stadium.

The show, which has creative direction from Brazilian directors Fernando Meirelles (City of God), Andrucha Washington and Daniela Thomas, will begin at 8pm (local time) and is expected to be seen by three billion people around the world.

Legendary singer Elza Soares will be representing Rio's most famous musial genre, samba, while Karol Conka and MC Soffia will be the voice of Brazil’s hip hop scene, whose messages of empowerment are set to echo well beyond the walls of the stadium.

São Paulo girl MC Soffia, who is just 12 years old, took social networks by storm with her music videos that speak out against racism, including her song “Menina Pretinha”.

"I chose rap because you can express yourself, tell people what you are feeling, talk about the reality you are living. But I do like other styles too," said the youthful rapper.

Conka, from southern city Curitiba, shot to fame after her track “Tombei” (2014) became a hit when it was used as the opening music for Globo TV series “Chapa Quente.”

Pop music and funk melody (a lighter version of baile funk) will be provided courtesy of Ludmilla. Hailing from Rio suburb city Duque de Caxias, the singer developed a huge following after her anthem “Fala Mal de Mim” first hit airwaves in 2012.

Last month she carried the Olympic torch in Florianopolis and even gave an impromptu performance to her fans. “I think it’s great we don’t just have superstars in the ceremony. We have popular culture as well,” director Fernando Meirelles said to Rio2016.com.

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Among the superstars confirmed are two of the country’s most famous singers, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso who were notoriously exiled from Brazil during its military dictatorship. The pair will perform alongside Carioca songstress and current national sensation Anitta after her three hit albums since 2013.

“It was Caetano’s idea to have Anitta, he considers her a great singer. We were really impressed by her, she has an amazing technique and her delivery is beautiful,” Meirelles said.

Lea T (Photo: press release)

World famous supermodel Gisele Bündchen will also be making an appearance, during which she will catwalk in front of her biggest audience ever. Brazilian model Lea T, who has appeared in dozens of campaigns and on the cover of various magazines, will be the first transgender person to have a major role at an Olympic opening ceremony – although the exact details of her participation remains a mystery.

“The message will be clear: inclusion. All of us, independent of gender, sexual orientation, colour, race or creed, are all human beings and are part of this society. My role in the ceremony is tiny but will be significant for representation, and will help to transmit this message (of inclusion)," Lea T said in an interview with BBC Brasil.