Estakazero

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Leo Estakazero

Genres

forró, baião, MPB

Instruments

acoustic guitar, vocals

Biography

Estakazero is a prominent Brazilian musical group formed in 2001 in Salvador, Bahia, by singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Leonardo Regis Macedo, known as Leo Estakazero. The band takes its name from the Fazenda Estakazero, a farm from Leonardo's childhood that served as a profound personal inspiration. Over the years, the group became one of the leading names in the university "forró pé de serra" movement, captivating audiences across Brazil with infectious rhythms and memorable hits like "Encosta N'eu" and "Lua Minha."

Before founding Estakazero, Leonardo established the band Colher de Pau in the late 1990s, initially focusing on samba before successfully incorporating forró into their repertoire for traditional Saint John festivities (São João). With the rise of university forró, Leonardo chose to pivot his musical direction, creating Estakazero to further explore and modernize the genre. The band has since maintained a vibrant presence in Brazilian roots music, organizing projects such as the renowned "Ensaios de São João," which has featured legendary performers like Zé Ramalho, Elba Ramalho, and Alceu Valença.

Throughout its existence, Estakazero has combined authenticity with a strong capacity for reinvention, navigating various lineup changes and musical phases while staying true to its Northeastern roots. Alongside contemporaries in the Brazilian forró and MPB scenes, the group has cemented its legacy in regional music. Leonardo's leadership, bolstered by long-term partnerships in management and production, has ensured that the band remains a vital reference point for lovers of traditional forró and baião.

Discography

• Relíquias (Ao Vivo 2002) (2002)
• Botando o Pé na Estrada, Vol. 1 (2003)
• Pra Você (Ao Vivo 2005) (2005)
• Ao Vivo (2006)
• Lua Minha (2006)
• Botando o Pé na Estrada... (2006)
• Viva Luiz! (Estakazero Canta Luiz Gonzaga) (2010)
• Na Balada - Ao Vivo (2012)
• A Festa Começou (Ao Vivo) (2013)
• Todo Seu (2017)
• Ao Vivo 2018 (2018)
• Aquecendo para o São João (Live) (2019)
• Uma homenagem ao Mastruz com Leite (2024)
• De Volta (2026)