Mestre Negoativo

Origin

Belo Horizonte, MG

Also known as

Mestre Negativo, Ramon Lopes Gonçalves

Years Active

1991

Genres

capoeira, afro-brazilian music, samba, soul, rap

Instruments

berimbau

Biography

Ramon Lopes Gonçalves, known as Mestre Negoativo, was born on April 1, 1967, in the Maria Goretti community in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. He is a renowned capoeira master, musician, author, and cultural activist, deeply dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of Afro-Mineiro traditions, especially those of Bantu and Vissungo origin.

As a musician, Mestre Negoativo is known for his work with the berimbau and for his participation in projects such as the group Berimbrown, with which he recorded alongside Milton Nascimento. He is also the author of the book "Capoeiragem no país das Gerais" and the album "O Arco Ancestral e os Vissungos das Gerais", which delves into Afro-Mineiro traditions and songs of resistance. His musical work frequently explores the connection between capoeira, ancestry, and African-rooted musicality.

Mestre Negoativo is the founder of the Lamparina Cultural Center and the Porto de Minas Afro Block, as well as the creator of projects such as the Kilombola Project. He also hosts the podcast "NEGO-ATIVO", where he shares stories about Afro-Brazilian heritage. His work as a cultural activist and researcher highlights him as an important figure in the maintenance and diffusion of Afro-Brazilian culture in Minas Gerais and throughout Brazil.

Discography

• O Arco Ancestral e os Vissungos das Gerais (2025)