Negritude Júnior is a group in the style pagode, the romantic pop derivation of samba. Their explosive performance in six recorded albums made the group one of the most important in this style, having several hits in the top charts and excellent sales, reaching gold, platinum, and double-platinum records. The group was created in 1985 by Nenê, Wagninho, and Claudinho. They used to meet at the samba school Camisa Verde e Branco (in São Paulo), where Almir Guineto also often went. After winning a contest in that samba school, the group was invited to participate in a compilation album with two sambas, "Triste Andança" and "Algo De Valor." Soon came the first LP, the independent Jeito de Seduzir (Zimbabwe). The album drew the attention of EMI Odeon, which released the LP Natural, which earned a gold record with "Conto de Fadas." Deixa Acontecer had three hits: "Olhos Vermelhos," "Indiferença," and "Beijo Geladinho." They also had hits with "Absoluta," "Gente Da Gente," "Cohab City" (Gente Da Gente), "Tanajura," "Você Faz Falta," and "Coração Cigano" (Nosso Ninho). The sixth album, the CD Sedução Na Pele, was a Top-Seller, having yielded gold, platinum, and double-platinum records. The songs "Que Dure Para Sempre," "Sedução Na Pele," and "Bom Dia" reached the top charts both in radio and TV. ~ Alvaro Neder