Babado Novo

Babado Novo ranks among Brazil’s leading axé acts, infusing the genre with a pop romântico sensibility. The group came together in Salvador, Bahia, in 2001, its founding lineup consisting of vocalist Cláudia Leitte, musical director and guitarist Sérgio Rocha, drummer Buguelo, bassist Alan Moraes, keyboardist Luciano Pinto, and percussionists Nino Bala and Durval Luz. Its self-titled debut arrived in 2003 and featured the breakout single “Amor Perfeito,” while subsequent tracks “Canudinho” and “Cai Fora” also gained wide traction. Shortly afterward, Universal Music secured the band and issued its sophomore effort, Sem Vergonha, still in 2003. The following year brought the live CD/DVD Uau! Ao Vivo em Salvador, which remains the group’s top-selling release. With Leitte’s profile rising sharply, O Diário de Claudinha appeared in 2005 and placed even greater emphasis on the frontwoman, highlighted by the major success “Bola de Sabão.” Ver-Te Mar followed in 2007 and likewise performed strongly, yielding the hit “Pensando em Você”; Carlinhos Brown contributed to several songs on the album, among them the title track. Leitte’s departure in 2008 to launch a solo career closed this chapter.

To fill the vocal role, Guga de Paula and Igor Di Ferreira joined for the 2010 album Tudo Novo no Babado Novo, though both eventually exited. Mari Antunes stepped in as the new singer in early 2012. Subsequent years saw a consistent flow of EPs, singles, and live recordings, capped by the notable 2019 reunion track “Pode Entrar” with Leitte.