The group is named after the very well known and influential song "Chiclete com Banana", written by Gordurinha (Waldeck Artur Macedo; 1922–1969) and Almira Castilho, which was first recorded in 1959 by Brazilian popstar Jackson do Pandeiro and by dozens of performers, including Gilberto Gil.

Chiclete com Banana released its first album, called Estação Das Cores (1983) and Traz os montes, in 1983, and is regarded as one of the most successful bands of the Axé music genre in Brazil.

Chiclete rose to fame in Bahia in the 1980s like other axé bands and artists (among them the famous Ivete Sangalo).

Today, Chiclete is one of the most popular and expensive micaretas during Carnaval in Bahia, although they perform throughout Brazil all year.

This is divided in about 5,000 – 10,000 people inside the "ropes" who bought the abadás, special shirts that everyone wears.