Cazuza

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Agenor de Miranda Araújo Neto

Years Active

1981–1990

Genres

rock, blues, MPB, pop rock

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Agenor de Miranda Araújo Neto, universally known as Cazuza, was a definitive figure in Brazilian rock and MPB during the 1980s. Born in Rio de Janeiro to music producer João Araújo, he grew up surrounded by legendary artists like Caetano Veloso and Elis Regina. Cazuza first rose to national fame as the rebellious lead singer and lyricist of Barão Vermelho, where he formed a historic songwriting partnership with guitarist Frejat. The band's raw energy and Cazuza's poetic, often provocative lyrics captured the spirit of a generation transitioning from military dictatorship to democracy, highlighted by their iconic performance at the first Rock in Rio in 1985.

After leaving the band to pursue a solo career, Cazuza evolved into one of Brazil's most revered poets. His debut solo album, Exagerado (1985), solidified his status as a hitmaker, while later works like Ideologia and O Tempo Não Para displayed a deeper, more political edge. Despite being diagnosed with HIV in 1987, he remained incredibly prolific, using his public platform to bring attention to the AIDS crisis at a time of great stigma. His final years were marked by a courageous struggle against the disease, during which he recorded the double album Burguesia, often from a wheelchair. Cazuza's legacy is defined by his authentic, bohemian lifestyle and a body of work that seamlessly blended rock aggression with the melodic sensitivity of cartola and traditional samba, forever changing the landscape of Brazilian popular music.

Discography

• Exagerado (1985)
• Só Se For a Dois (1987)
• Gilberto Gil e Cazuza – Um Trem para as Estrelas, Trilha Sonora do Filme de Carlos Diegues (1987)
• O Nosso Amor A Gente Inventa (1987)
• Brasil (1987)
• O Tempo Não Pára - Cazuza Ao Vivo (1988)
• Ideologia (1988)
• Burguesia (1989)
• Por Aí... (1991)
• Andróide sem Par (1991)
• I Love MPB - O Nosso Amor A Gente Inventa (2004)
• O Poeta Está Vivo (Show no Teatro Ipanema 1987) (2005)
• O Tempo Não Para - Show Completo (2022)
• O Poeta Vive (2023)
• Cazuza Exagerado para Sempre (2025)
• Replay - Exagerado (2026)