Negritude Junior

Negritude Júnior emerged as a pagode ensemble, the romantic pop offshoot of samba. Six albums recorded with explosive energy established the ensemble among the style’s leading acts, generating multiple chart successes alongside robust sales that earned gold, platinum, and double-platinum certifications. Nenê, Wagninho, and Claudinho formed the group in 1985 after regular gatherings at São Paulo’s Camisa Verde e Branco samba school, a locale also frequented by Almir Guineto. A contest victory there led to an invitation for the trio to contribute two sambas, “Triste Andança” and “Algo De Valor,” to a compilation album. Their independent debut LP, Jeito de Seduzir (Zimbabwe), soon followed and attracted EMI Odeon, which issued the subsequent album Natural and secured a gold record for the track “Conto de Fadas.” Deixa Acontecer produced three hits—“Olhos Vermelhos,” “Indiferença,” and “Beijo Geladinho”—while further successes arrived via “Absoluta,” “Gente Da Gente,” “Cohab City” (Gente Da Gente), “Tanajura,” “Você Faz Falta,” and “Coração Cigano” (Nosso Ninho). The sixth release, the CD Sedução Na Pele, ranked among the year’s top sellers and achieved gold, platinum, and double-platinum status, with “Que Dure Para Sempre,” “Sedução Na Pele,” and “Bom Dia” climbing the radio and television charts.