BNegão
- Origin
- Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- Years active
- 1990
- Genres
- hip hop, rap, rock, reggae, punk, soul, funk, samba-reggae, MPB
- Instruments
- vocals
Biography
Born Bernardo Ferreira Gomes dos Santos in Rio de Janeiro, BNegão is a pivotal figure in the Brazilian hip hop and rock fusion scene. He first achieved national fame as a lead vocalist and lyricist for the influential band Planet Hemp, performing alongside Marcelo D2. His early years were shaped by the underground scene of Rio, where he experimented with punk, electronic, and soul music in various bands such as Juliete and The Funk Fuckers before replacing the late rapper Skunk in Planet Hemp's definitive lineup. \n\nIn 2003, he launched the project BNegão & Seletores de Frequência with the album 'Enxugando o Gelo'. This work was notable not only for its sharp political critiques but also for BNegão's pioneering decision to release the music via Creative Commons, encouraging free digital distribution during a transformative era for the music industry. His eclectic style, which seamlessly blends dub, reggae, and funk, earned him critical acclaim, including a Best Album of the Year award at the VMB MTV for 'Sintoniza Lá' in 2012. That same year, he represented Brazilian culture on a global stage by performing a tribute to Chico Science at the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games, sharing the stage with Marisa Monte and Seu Jorge.\n\nThroughout the 2010s and 2020s, BNegão has continued to reinvent himself. He has explored spiritual themes in the album 'TransmutAção' and honored the legacy of Brazilian master Dorival Caymmi in intimate acoustic performances. In 2024, he released 'Metamorfoses, Riddims e Afins', his first strictly solo album, which explores a vast array of rhythms including cumbia, samba-reggae, and pagode baiano. He remains a central figure in the reunited Planet Hemp while maintaining a prolific solo career focused on social consciousness and musical experimentation.