Find out who “Nagrelha” is, the kuduro musician who died at the age of 36 and gathered thousands of people at his funeral.

“An employee of Kuduro”, “a super cool person from the area”, “charismatic, creative and eccentric, the son of the people and one of the symbols of youth.” This is how the Angolan musician Gelson Cayo Manuel Mendez, better known as “Nagrelha”, who died on Friday at the age of 36 from lung cancer, is described. Thousands of Kudurista fans filled the streets of Luanda for a final farewell in what is already considered the largest funeral in the Angolan capital.

Considered the kuduro musician with the biggest legion of fans, “Nagrelha”, along with Bruno King, Amizade and Andela, was one of the founders of the musical group “Os Lambas”, which rose to fame in the early 2000s. the group continued to draw crowds, but disbanded in 2014 due to constant disagreements.

“Nagrelha”, or “Naná” as he was affectionately known, then pursued a solo career and released his first album in 2017. was my dream,” he said Angolan newspaper🇧🇷

Os Lambas will get back together four years after breaking up. Bruno King said at the time that they had always been friends, “but parting was necessary.”

“Nagrelha” composed and sang several successful songs such as “Não me Tarraxa Assim”, “Wamona”, “Katronga Violenta”, “Dizumba Grande”, “Banzelo”, “Toque do Nana”, “Comboio” or “Provou e Gostou”. “.

The musician was considered an inspirational idol for many young Angolans who admire the fame and success achieved by the star of the Sambizanga district, who is considered the son of the “ghetto”.

The legendary Obama from the Kakuako area expressed “very regret” over the death of the “general headquarters of the kuduro”. Lusa regretted not being able to reach the cemetery due to “confusion”.

Chokarang, an electronic music artist, praised “Nagrelhu” for making a difference in music, as well as the way he performed and sang. “That made him the leader of the kuduro,” he told Luce. He was a “super tough guy from the area who dealt with everyone,” he described, praising the “simplicity” of an artist who became famous but never forgot his origins.

Lawrence Inacio, better known as Sete Cores, said that it was thanks to “Brother Nagrelie” that he also became a musician, and mentioned the incentive he gave to many young people to renounce delinquency.

Angola was shocked by the death of “Nagrelha”, who even received treatment in Lisbon shortly before his death, but returned to the country when his health improved.

Among the reactions to the death of the musician also stands out UNITA, the main opposition party in Angola, which described him as someone “charismatic, creative and eccentric, the son of the people and one of the symbols of youth.”

“To speak of the death of Nagrelha is to speak of the pain that pierces the hearts of thousands of young and adult Angolan kuduro lovers,” the party said.

Tributes to the musician are multiplying on social networks. “When you are from the people, it is completely different. Thank you, Nagrelha”; 🇧🇷Nagrelha is actually a reference. Rest in peace, Kuduro employees” or “Nagrelya’s size is beyond question, city streets closed at this time, police escort… I don’t remember seeing this with another Angolan artist” are some of the messages posted on Twitter.

Even the late architect of the world did not move this human shell. Nagrelha is actually a reference. Rest in peace, kuduro state pic.twitter.com/65IZ92DLo2

— S?lu? (@salumk) November 21, 2022

Nagrella’s funeral took place on Tuesday morning and attracted thousands of Angolans, and is already considered the largest funeral in Luanda. The Angolan police used tear gas to disperse the crowd near the cemetery of Santa Ana, where the musician Kudurist is buried. The funeral was marred by several riots and the young man’s death. 33 people were injured, including 16 police officers, two of whom were seriously stabbed.