Marcus Lucenna

Origin

Mossoró, RN

Also known as

Marcos Antônio de Queiroz Lucena

Years Active

1977–2026

Genres

forró, MPB, cantoria de viola, cordel, brega, tango, rumba, lambada, chorinho

Instruments

voice, acoustic guitar, viola caipira

Biography

Marcus Lucenna, known as "O Cantador dos Qu4tro Cantos", was a Brazilian poet, composer, singer, and cordel writer, born in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, on December 31, 1959. From an early age, he showed an affinity for music, influenced by his father, a radio broadcaster, poet, and repentista, and by his grandfather. At 16, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with the dream of building an artistic career, where he began performing on the Copacabana boardwalk. His musical inspiration ranged from Luiz Gonzaga, Jackson do Pandeiro, and Raul Seixas to international names such as Bob Dylan and Charles Aznavour.

His musical journey is marked by eclecticism, moving between pé-de-serra, brega, cantoria de viola, tango, rumba, lambada, and chorinho, always seeking to represent the soul of the Brazilian and Latin American people. In 1977, he began his professional career in Rio de Janeiro, where he became an important figure in the promotion of northeastern culture, working in the management of the Centro Municipal Luiz Gonzaga de Tradições Nordestinas (Feira de São Cristóvão). Throughout his career, he released several LPs and CDs, as well as books and cordel booklets, solidifying himself as a defender of traditional forró and northeastern popular culture.

Marcus Lucenna also stood out as a writer, with works that recount passages of his life and his relationship with northeastern music and prominent characters of the genre, such as the book "Marcus Lucenna na Corte do Rei Luiz". He was a member of the Brazilian Academy of Cordel Literature and worked as a communicator, bringing forró to television and radio. His work left a legacy of music, poetry, and cultural militancy, helping to keep the identity of the Northeast alive in various regions of the country. Marcus Lucenna passed away on March 5, 2026.

Discography

• O Cantador dos 4 Cantos (2016)
• Marcus Lucenna na Corte do Rei Luiz (2018)