Anderson Leonardo, Molejo singer and pagode icon of the 1990s, dies at age 51 | Rio de Janeiro

Anderson Leonardo, from Molejo, dies at age 51 in Rio

1990s pagoda icon, Anderson Leonardo, 51 years old, from the Molejo group, died this Friday (26), 1 and a half years after a diagnosis of cancer in the inguinal region. The information was confirmed by the singer’s advisors and the group’s official profile.

“Our warrior ANDERSON LEONARDO fought bravely, but unfortunately was defeated by cancer, but he will always be remembered by all his family, friends and his immense legion of fans, for his genius, strength and love of the stage and MOLEJO. His presence and joy were a light that illuminated the lives of everyone around him, and he will be deeply missed and never forgotten, we love you”, says the message posted on a social network.

Better known as Anderson Molejãobecause of his connection with the group Molejo, the singer made history with his lively and humorous hits.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Anderson is one of the founders of the Rio de Janeiro group Pagode, along with Andrezinho, Claumirzinho, Lúcio Nascimento, Robson Calazans and Jimmy Batera.

Anderson was admitted to Hospital Unimed, in Barra da Tijuca, and his condition had been worsening since Sunday (21).

There is still no information about the wake and burial.

Remember the trajectory of Anderson Leonardo, from Molejo

Molejo had big hits across the country, such as “Trap”, “Bucket”, “Child’s play”, “Broom Dance”, “Paparico” It is “General clinic”.

The group, formed in the late 1980s, also recorded several samba-rock songs, including their own “Samba Rock do Molejão”.

In addition to providing the band’s vocals, Anderson was also responsible for the sound of the cavaquinho. He also worked as a composer. Ecadnet registration has 118 compositions signed by the artist.

Anderson signs the band’s songs, such as “Broom Dance” It is “South Zone Boy”as well as hits from other groups, such as “Cohab City”, a success by Negritude Junior.

Grupo Molejo’s first album was released in 1993 and was driven by music “Bucket”. The group’s last album was “Molejo Club”, released in 2016, which brought new tracks from the band after 6 years.

The similarity of the chorus of Gaga’s song “Perfect Ilusion” with Molejo’s classic “Cilada” drove the internet crazy and caused the reproduction of the pagode group’s music to increase by over 100%, which was motivated to release a new album.

The band continues to be active on stage, and Anderson fulfilled a large part of the schedule even while undergoing treatment for the disease.

Anderson had 4 children. Two of them followed in their father’s footsteps: singer and multi-instrumentalist Leozinho Bradock, 29, and Rafael ‘Molejinn’, 28, who is part of Grupo Surpreender. The artist is also the father of Alessa Cristyne, 30, his firstborn, and Alice, the youngest, who turns 4 in May.

Alice is the singer’s daughter with Paula Cardoso, with whom he had been in a relationship since 2012.

“I’m going to fight until the end”, he said at the time, explaining that the first diagnosis of the disease was in the inguinal region.

Anderson further explained that his cancer was rare and said that the new treatment was to prevent the disease from radiating to other regions.

In September 2023, Anderson was admitted to treat a pulmonary embolism, initially diagnosed as pneumonia. At the time, the five other members of Molejo continued with their professional commitments.

Andrezinho, Robson Calazans, Jimmy Batera, Claumirzinho and Lucio Nascimento asked for prayers for the singer. The singer was discharged weeks later, following cancer treatment.

In February 2023, Anderson was hospitalized again, being discharged days later after undergoing a hypogastric nerve plexus block for pain.