Brazilian singer Netinho, one of axé's leading figures, died this Tuesday, October 13, at age 60 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. His team confirmed the news on social media.
According to fotech.cl, the artist, whose real name was Ernesto de Souza Andrade Júnior, was hospitalized with complications of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The disease led to kidney failure and multiple organ dysfunction after several months of treatment. BioBioChile reported that he died at Alianza Star Hospital.
"With a sadness that pierces our souls, we announce the death of singer Netinho, who passed away this morning," his team's statement began. His representatives also shared a phrase the musician repeated during his illness: "I will leave happy and fulfilled, because life gave me much more than I dreamed of".
In Chile, his name became associated with «Fim de Semana», a song that became a local phenomenon in the 90s. It was a time when axé, the rhythm born on the streets of Bahia's carnival that blends Afro-Brazilian percussion, samba and pop, filled Chilean parties, radio stations and summers with its infectious energy.
Netinho was born in Santo Antônio de Jesus, in the Recôncavo Baiano region, and moved to Salvador at age 10. In 1988, he made his debut as Banda Beijo's lead singer at the Salvador Carnival and achieved national fame that same year with «Beijo na Boca». With the band, he also popularized songs such as «Estrela primeira» and «A vida é festa».
In 1993, he launched his solo career. Three years later came «Milla», one of Brazilian axé's anthems. According to the Brazilian newspaper O Globo, cited by BioBioChile, he performed in countries including Italy and Chile. Fotech.cl adds that he brought the Bahian rhythm to Italy during the 1990 Football World Cup.
Away from the stage, he ventured into music production. He opened a recording studio in Rio de Janeiro that hosted artists such as Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, Laura Pausini and Lenny Kravitz.
At the artist's express request, the wake and cremation will be private, reserved exclusively for family and close friends, his team announced.