Yellow September is an international campaign aimed to raise awareness of the importance of suicide prevention over the month. September 10 is the official date for the World Suicide Prevention Day. This year, in 2023, there is an additional reason to remember, as it marks a decade since Chorão and Champignon left this world.
Alexandre Magno Abrão was a Brazilian singer-songwriter, skateboarder, filmmaker, screenwriter, and businessman. He was the founding member and primary lyricist of the influential alternative rock band Charlie Brown Jr. Chorão left a lasting mark on generations, particularly the youth.
He is popularly known by his nickname, which also became his artistic name, Chorão, meaning 'whiner.' Its origins trace back to his childhood when he would cry after failing to perform skateboard manoeuvres. As time passed, he excelled in the sport, even becoming a runner-up in São Paulo. However, he achieved fame primarily through his music. Chorão had a knack for transforming melancholic stories into tunes and sharp tongue on contemporary society. He emerged as a prominent figure in Brazilian rock during the 1990s and 2000s.
One day, while attending a show in Santos, Chorão noticed that the lead singer of the band had to step away from the stage for a few minutes. Seizing the moment, he took the initiative. He climbed onto the stage, requested the instrumentalists to play "War Inside My Head" by the Californian band Suicidal Tendencies, and began singing. When the original singer returned from the bathroom, the audience's enthusiastic response was clear—they preferred Chorão as the frontman and began clamouring for him to stay.
He left the members of the metal band What’s Up in raptures, and they even extended an invitation for him to join their group. Their songs were in English and followed a heavy style influenced by crossover thrash and hardcore punk. While the collaboration with What's Up didn't pan out, it was during this time that he met his lifelong musical partner, the bassist Champignon.
In 1992, Chorão founded the initial lineup of Charlie Brown Jr in Santos, drawing inspiration from the same musical roots as What's Up. His influences included Blink-182, Sublime, Bad Brains, NOFX, Suicidal Tendencies, Biohazard, Faith No More, and 311. By 1995, Charlie Brown Jr had recorded their first self-titled demo tape, which received a positive response from the underground music scene in Santos. This encouraged Champignon to introduce the band to his friend, the record producer Tadeu Pattola, who was thoroughly impressed. Pattola advised Chorão to sing in Portuguese and explore other genres like hip-hop, reggae, and ska, taking inspiration from bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine. Furthermore, Pattola introduced them to fellow producer Rick Bonadio, both of whom played pivotal roles in helping the band secure a contract with Virgin Records and create their debut album.
The band got its name from a car accident involving the vocalist. He lost control of the car, skidded, and unintentionally ran over a coconut vendor's stall adorned with drawings of Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts comic strip characters. Seeing this as a sign for his musical group, he named it Charlie Brown. The addition of 'Junior' came later when he perceived themselves as 'juniors' in the wake of the influential Brazilian rock scene of the 1980s and early 1990s, 'the children of rock.' During these early stages, Chorão faced challenging times, including experiencing hunger and being evicted from his own small house.
They began their journey with concerts in Santos and São Paulo, often performing at skateboard championships. Their debut album, 'Transpiração Contínua Prolongada' (1997), made a strong impact, selling 500,000 copies. The songs resonated with the youth, offering critiques, reflections, and declarations of love. This marked the moment when Chorão solidified his songwriting career.
In the following year, 1998, Charlie Brown Jr. achieved a significant milestone by winning the prestigious award for Best New Band at the MTV Video Music Awards. From that point onward, their journey was marked by a series of successes and numerous awards. Chorão's songs became anthems for a legion of youth, thanks to his simplicity and charisma that resonated with the public. This widespread popularity led to one of his songs becoming the opening theme for 'Malhação,' a Brazilian telenovela that aired from 1999 to 2005 on the renowned television channel Rede Globo. His achievements extended beyond Brazil as he even secured two Latin Grammy Awards. Throughout their 15-year career, the group that made him famous released nine studio albums, two live albums, two compilations, and six DVDs, amassing over 5 million copies in sales. The group gained popularity among disadvantaged youth due to their relatable commentary on social issues and their frequent use of skate punk and hip-hop slang in their songs.
Chorão had an intense creative process and explored his creativity in various ways. He authored a book that was adapted into a film, 'O Magnata' (Johnny Araújo, 2007). Additionally, before his passing, he worked on a feature film called 'O Cobrador' for which he wrote the script.
Controversy was another element closely associated with Chorão. He often found himself at the centre of conflicts and misunderstandings with band members, professional colleagues, and even fans. This was primarily because he never hesitated to express his opinions openly, which sometimes led to discomfort among those around him.
In 2012, after 15 years of marriage, Chorão and Graziela divorced. The catalyst for their separation was his struggle with chemical dependency. Despite efforts by his ex-wife and other family members to help him seek rehabilitation, they were not successful. Amid a series of creative differences and clashes between him and Champignon, Marcão, and Pelado, Marcão and Pelado left the band in 2005. Furthermore, following his divorce and the changes in the original band lineup, Chorão's mental health began to deteriorate.
On March 6th, 2013, Chorão tragically passed away due to a cocaine overdose at the age of 42, marking the end of Charlie Brown Jr. His sudden death had a profound international impact, trending in news reports, television programs, and on social media platforms. It even affected a football match played by his beloved team.
His lifelong musical partner, Champignon, began to struggle with anxiety and fell into depression, compounded by criticism, personal insecurities, and financial problems stemming from hasty decisions. On the night of September 8, 2013, following an argument with his wife at a restaurant, Champignon returned home, locked himself in his studio, and tragically took his own life by shooting himself in the head.
Posthumously, Chorão's legacy gained an additional layer. Throughout his career, he quietly supported numerous social projects and help those in need, ensuring that his acts of kindness remained unpublicized until 2013.
Though the artist may pass away, the art lives on eternally. Chorão's lyrics continue to resonate with younger generations, dominating social media platforms and finding a place on the soundtracks of Brazilian youth telenovelas. His music videos, featuring the skateboard lifestyle, inspired a whole generation of skateboarders. Beyond music and skateboarding, Chorão's influence extended to other musical genres, such as Brazilian 1990s rap, and he played a pivotal role in bringing visibility to other artists like RZO, De Menos Crime, Sabotage, and Negra Li. His impact wasn't limited to music or skateboarding; his 'marginal' fashion style that also contributed to shaping a sense of identity to an ignored social group that is majoritarian in Brazil. Last but not least, his central role in the documentary 'Chorão: Marginal Alado' (Felipe Novaes in 2021) further amplified his influence in the country.
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