Netinho

Origin

Santo Antônio de Jesus, BA

Years Active

1984

Genres

axé, MPB, pop

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar

Biography

Netinho, born Ernesto de Souza Andrade Júnior in Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, is a prominent Brazilian singer and composer who became one of the defining voices of axé music and the vibrant Bahian carnival scene. He began his professional career in Salvador performing bossa nova and MPB in local bars before discovering the electrifying energy of trios elétricos in 1984. His breakthrough came in 1988 as the lead vocalist of Banda Beijo, with whom he recorded massive radio hits like "Beijo na Boca" and achieved unprecedented milestones, including taking the first trio elétrico abroad to Italy during the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

Transitioning to a successful solo career in 1993 with the album Um Beijo pra Você, Netinho continued to dominate Brazilian charts with enduring hits such as "Menina" and the worldwide phenomenon "Milla." Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he released numerous acclaimed albums and DVDs, collaborating with iconic Brazilian artists like Ivete Sangalo, Carlinhos Brown, and Caetano Veloso. His artistic versatility allowed him to blend traditional Bahian rhythms with pop sensibilities, earning him a Latin Grammy nomination in 2009 for his album Minha Praia.

Beyond his musical achievements, Netinho has remained a dynamic figure in Brazilian culture, known for his energetic live performances and pioneering role in expanding the reach of axé music across Brazil and internationally. Despite facing personal and health challenges over the years, his legacy as a trailblazer of the Salvador carnival and a beloved entertainer remains firmly cemented in the history of Brazilian popular music.

Discography

• Um Beijo pra Você (1993)
• Crença (1994)
• Nada Vai nos Separar (1994)
• Netinho (1995)
• Ao Vivo! (1995)
• Me Leva (1997)
• Rádio Brasil (1998)
• João Bosco, Gilberto Gil, os Novos Baianos, Timbalada, Netinho, Banda Cheiro do Amor, Banda Eva, Elis Regina, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Marina Lima, Zizi Possi, Gal Costa, Maria Bethânia – Colors Brazil - Masters Of The Brazilian Music (1998)
• Corpo & Cabeça (2000)
• Clareou (2000)
• Terra Carnavalis (2001)
• Outra Versão (2005)
• Axé Bahia (2005)
• Minha Praia (2008)
• Netinho e a Caixa Mágica (Ao Vivo) (2011)
• Beats, Baladas & Balanços - Manual para Baladas (2014)
• Netinho por Inteiro [Ao Vivo] (2015)
• Axé Retrô (12+) (2025)
• Grandeza e Simplicidade (2026)