Brazil learns how to make its own teen stars
Tailored for adolescent audiences, artists like KLB and Twister are rising to stardom - but in 2000, nothing compared to the Sandy & Junior phenomenon
Tom Cardoso
27/12/2000
Ever since the Puerto-Rican kids from Menudo landed on Brazil singing Não Se Reprima, in the early 80s, that a teen boom as big as Sandy & Junior didn't happen. In fact, the Brazilian market for juvenile music, which used to depend on Latin and North-American acts (Menudo, New Kids on The Block, Backstreet Boys), is now producing its own stars. Following the trend set by country musicians, boy-groups like KLB and Twister quickly emerged into the big record sellers team.
But nothing compares to the Sandy & Junior phenomenon. Having been professionally guided by their father (country artist Xororó) ever since they wore diapers, the sister and brother have not made a single mistake in their 10 year-long career. Besides the golden records, endless tours, household products and TV shows, the duo have conquered even the biggest BPM names - a type of elite that has always been allergic to Brazilian country.
In Caetano Veloso's opinion, for instance, Sandy's voice is as firm and educated as Elis Regina's. Milton Nascimento, in his turn, regards Junior as a great musician, yet to be discovered, even though he is but a shadow of his sister, right now. Milton invited the duo to perform in his album with Gilberto Gil (Gil & Milton), released this year. They sang in the track Duas Sanfonas.
More easy-going and charismatic than her brother (which is not a hard task), Sandy thinks its still too early to start out a solo career. But she is so successful, already, that she worked as a wake-up call for the major labels, which began hunting for teen singers, like Wanessa Camargo and Thaís Pina. Meanwhile, though, Sandy is determined not to part ways with her brother - she will only give interviews along with him. She has recently been invited to star in a soap-opera, and made a point about having her brother act in it, too.
Sandy & Junior's popularity shall be tested next January, at the Rock In Rio 3 Festival, when they perform on the same night as huge teen stars like Five, Britney Spears and N'Sync.
But nothing compares to the Sandy & Junior phenomenon. Having been professionally guided by their father (country artist Xororó) ever since they wore diapers, the sister and brother have not made a single mistake in their 10 year-long career. Besides the golden records, endless tours, household products and TV shows, the duo have conquered even the biggest BPM names - a type of elite that has always been allergic to Brazilian country.
In Caetano Veloso's opinion, for instance, Sandy's voice is as firm and educated as Elis Regina's. Milton Nascimento, in his turn, regards Junior as a great musician, yet to be discovered, even though he is but a shadow of his sister, right now. Milton invited the duo to perform in his album with Gilberto Gil (Gil & Milton), released this year. They sang in the track Duas Sanfonas.
More easy-going and charismatic than her brother (which is not a hard task), Sandy thinks its still too early to start out a solo career. But she is so successful, already, that she worked as a wake-up call for the major labels, which began hunting for teen singers, like Wanessa Camargo and Thaís Pina. Meanwhile, though, Sandy is determined not to part ways with her brother - she will only give interviews along with him. She has recently been invited to star in a soap-opera, and made a point about having her brother act in it, too.
Sandy & Junior's popularity shall be tested next January, at the Rock In Rio 3 Festival, when they perform on the same night as huge teen stars like Five, Britney Spears and N'Sync.