Frejat rejects use of his song in Renan Santos presidential campaign

“De guitarrista para guitarrista: não seja bobo, Frejat. Sua postagem só nos deu mais palco,” declared presidential candidate Renan Santos (Missão), rejecting calls to stop using a modified version of the Barão Vermelho hit “Bete Balanço.” While the campaign has been notified by the music publisher Warner Chappell to cease using the track, Renan Santos stated he intends to continue incorporating the adapted version into his election events.

Frejat, who co-wrote the 1980s hit with the late Cazuza, issued a formal note on October 2, 2026, expressing his rejection of the association. The statement, which was shared through a collaboration with the official profiles of Cazuza (1958–1990), drummer Guto Goffi, and Frejat’s wife, Alice Pellegatti, characterized the unauthorized use of the music as a disrespect to authors’ rights. Frejat added, “We do not share your ideas and the continuous, improper and unauthorized use of our music, which demonstrates a total lack of respect for the rights of the authors.”

The conflict centers on a parody version of the song used in the candidate’s “Vote na Onça” jingle. The campaign replaced the original lyric “o teu futuro é duvidoso” (your future is doubtful) with the phrase “o futuro é glorioso” (the future is glorious). The song was performed by the candidate during a protest in front of the TV Globo headquarters in Rio de Janeiro on October 1, 2026, following the cancellation of a scheduled presidential debate. In a separate incident on September 30, 2026, Renan appeared on a stage outside the same building singing the modified version into a microphone before a crowd.

Warner Chappell, which holds the rights to the work, sent an extrajudicial notification to the Santos campaign on September 22, 2026. The publisher requested that the campaign contact them to regularize the usage or remove the content from digital platforms. While the campaign confirmed receipt of the notice, it has not commented on the warning. As of October 2, 2026, an Instagram post from September 19, 2026, featuring the jingle, remains available but without audio.

Renan Santos responded to Frejat’s public stance with a video recorded inside his campaign bus. In his rebuttal, the candidate praised Frejat’s musical talent but dismissed the legal concerns, framing the dispute as a publicity opportunity. Santos further clarified that he does not intend to stop using the music, claiming the campaign is introducing the classic rock track to millions of young Brazilians.

Santos Addresses Political Tension over Song Legacy

The candidate also addressed the political tension surrounding the song’s legacy. Santos described Cazuza as a “playboy” and suggested that Frejat should feel “flattered” by the usage. “You had to be flattered, Frejat,” Santos said. “I know your father was a communist, I know everything. I know that Cazuza, who was a hell of a playboy, finished his life saying ‘oh, the bourgeoisie stinks!’ I know, you are from the south zone of Rio.”

The campaign’s actions prompted varied reactions from the public. While some users questioned why the candidate was using a parody of Cazuza’s work, others expressed support for the musician’s stance. “I was waiting for this official note, you never disappoint!” wrote one internet user, Lena Santos.

This is not the first time the work of Cazuza and Frejat has become a point of contention in Brazilian politics. Cazuza died in 1990 at age 32, but his work remained associated with political debates, particularly his solo tracks criticizing corruption and inequality. While the current extrajudicial notification from Warner Chappell serves as a formal warning, it does not constitute a court order or immediate legal penalty. Both the campaign and the artists remain in a standoff regarding the continued performance of the jingle at future rallies and electoral engagements.