Ricardo Rangels and Like the Wind | Final Explanations

 

Hello, due to numerous emails and offenses against Ricardo Rangels, we have decided to offer a final explanation regarding the song The Sun, also known as Like the Wind by some.

The song was recorded by Rangels in 1992 at WR Studio in Salvador, Bahia. The band that accompanied him was a group that was rehearsing at the studio and didn’t know Ricardo Rangels until that moment. They offered to play for him for a small symbolic fee. However, the final version turned out quite different from what Rangels had envisioned, as the band added their own influences. Since Rangels didn’t have the funds to pay for more recording time, he was happy enough, as the main thing was that his song had been recorded. Rangels does not remember the name of the band, but he believes it had something like Billy in the name.

Afterward, he thanked the band, and they never saw each other again. He listened to the recording with a studio technician and requested that his voice be slightly deepened to sound more like Renato Russo, lead singer of the Brazilian band Legião Urbana, whom he admired at the time. He then took his cassette copy, made several paid copies, and, hopeful, sent them to various radio and TV stations. Only one TV program responded, saying they would review it, but he received no further replies. 

As time passed, Rangels created other songs, joined smaller bands, and performed with friends. The Sun was saved in other formats over the years, but since he didn't think it was particularly good, he never officially released it. The last remaining copy was found as a digital file on a Nokia C3 phone. After many years, he decided to re-release all his work since 1992 to conclude his music journey.

However, to his surprise, he faced numerous attacks. He initially thought these were people upset about copyright claims on his song and was even considering releasing it into the public domain to avoid causing issues. Soon after, however, he faced harassment and false reports that led to his work being unfairly taken down.

When he sought assistance and requested an investigation, the results showed the following:

A young Brazilian named Gabriel had shared Rangels’ song extensively in various online groups, presenting it as an unknown song. He used two fictitious names, Lydia and Darius, claiming it was a German band featured on a radio show.

Gabriel also tried to claim ownership of the song using the name Antwon, later found to be another alias for Lydia. Comparing photos of the supposed Darius with Gabriel’s revealed similarities, and Darius even had a sign in the background with the name Brasil, which would be unusual for a supposed German youth.

When Rangels started investigating, Gabriel, afraid of being exposed, deleted or made his popular video of the song private.

Furthermore, Rangels discovered a supposed years-long search for the song within certain online groups. Investigating these groups showed a highly biased environment, where Gabriel and his characters were moderators. Any criticism of these characters or deeper inquiries into their story's authenticity were quickly deleted, with skeptics banned or silenced.

In the posts discussing Rangels, the tone was irrationally hostile, questioning his integrity, labeling him a “supposed artist,” and hurling insults, which generated hatred toward him. At no point was there any serious investigation or respectful contact to verify Ricardo Rangels’ authenticity. Whenever a community member defended Rangels or expressed liking for his version of the song, they were promptly attacked by other members. They simply refused to investigate; for them, Rangels was fake because they had decided so.

Time passed, the investigation concluded, and Rangels received a partial refund of the investment he made from his distributor, acknowledging that his removal was unjust. Rangels also decided not to work with them anymore.

However, artist Ricardo Rangels has decided not to fight for the song any further. He stated, "I already have over 150 songs and more, so it makes no difference to me whether I'm recognized as the author of this particular song or not." Rangels is also unfazed by financial losses, having been in music for 33 years. His YouTube channel has existed since 2011 with only 100 followers. If Rangels were motivated by money, he would have quit long ago. Unlike certain other supposed bands, successful or not, he has never stopped sharing his songs despite lacking success or recognition. He loves music truly and intends to stop only for personal reasons.

Moreover, The Sun wouldn’t change this, as he views it merely as a historical artifact in his ongoing journey to share his older songs.

Lastly, he realized that "a lie told often enough becomes the truth" and that it’s not worth debating this matter further. If certain people claim to like the song but refuse to accept its author for obscure reasons, there’s no point in trying to convince such fans. The strongest proof of this is that other individuals have claimed and registered the song as their own, including Lydia, under her pseudonym Antwon. None of these people were attacked, reported, or criticized; Lydia is even considered a "reliable" source. But with Rangels, it was different; he faced persecution, bullying, insults, and false reports. This shows that the motivation goes far beyond a quest for the truth but rather involves ethnic, xenophobic, or similar biases.

In their supposed search for the song’s author, the group sought only someone who, quoting Nietzsche, was “white, Christian, European, and German,” and would likely create or find a band with these qualities.

We do not object if such a band is created or convinced that they made The Sun. Rangels wishes them “good luck” and hopes that his song might help someone change their life. As for those fans who have caused him grief, we simply wish that they stay away and leave him in peace, as they do not deserve the greatness of Rangels' art. We trust that time will reveal the entire truth.

As stated, this will be the last time we, Ricardo Rangels’ management and he himself, speak on this matter. We appreciate your understanding and ask not to be bothered with further questions or meaningless harassment.

And if any fan of the song truly wants to know the truth, research Lydia and Darius, show their faces, ages, and the 'original' tapes. Also, research the first website that posted the song, supposedly registered by Lydia. Confirm if the person who registered it is indeed Lydia and if she has a brother named Darius. However, you'll have to create another community because the current one is corrupted by people with hidden motives who want to profit from the song.

Sincerely,

Ricardo Rangels' Management