Ney Matogrosso’s calm and paced voice when offstage makes it hard for anyone who doesn’t know his art to know he has been one of Brazil’s most rebellious and innovative artists for about 50 years.
Inspired by Japanese kabuki theater, Matogrosso painted his face in the early '70s and performed flamboyant acts as the lead of the Secos e Molhados band — which was a mix of pop and rock ’n’ roll, far from popular bossa nova and samba artists. Later as a prestigious solo singer, he did not hide his homosexuality on stage and became a beacon for many others who struggled.
