Djavan opens up about neurological disorder and possible retirement

djavan is among the greatest singers and composers of Brazilian music. Active since the late 1960s, the 74-year-old artist does not see himself retired — even though he is fighting a disorder that affects his movements.

A diagnosis presented at the end of 2022 showed the singer that he had essential tremor. According to Ministry of Health, it is a “neurological movement disorder that usually affects the hands, but can also affect the head, voice and legs”. It is often confused with Parkinson’s disease, it is worth noting.

Still according to the organ, “it is not a fatal disease, but it harms people’s quality of life”. Ordinary day-to-day tasks become more complicated. And this could represent a “sentence” of compulsory retirement for an artist who, throughout his life, was in total control of his movements.

In a statement to the reporter Amanda Péchy for the magazine Look,djavan opened up about his current condition. He revealed, for example, that the tremor in his case reaches the head, “an agony”. Despite this, his music activities continue at full speed.

“At 74, I’m still active. I’ve just returned from a tour of Europe and the US, where I supported my new album, D, and toured seventeen cities. With a life like this, I need to be well and I keep fighting, in a disciplined way.”

change of habits

But how djavan managed to control the disease — which, he reinforces, is not Parkinson’s? The star reveals that, in addition to taking a daily medication, he had to undergo a change of habits. His case is not genetic: it is associated with “lack of sleep and stress”, the fault of years working at night and building a routine that is far from daytime.

“I started to cultivate a more regimented routine, based on healthy eating, lots of water and at least eight hours of sleep at night. It was a radical transformation. I always slept at dawn. I started my musical career working in nightclubs, arriving home at 5:30 in the morning. I also got used to writing songs when people were in bed. It was the period when the most inspiration came to me. Today, I joke that dawn is no longer the mistress of my destiny. I no longer do crazy things that harm my health. My doctor has even praised me for complying with even the strictest recommendations. I don’t miss an appointment.”

The singer-songwriter highlighted that, at this point in his life, he feels more confident about turning down some offers. This allows him to control his routine so that he stays healthy.

“I better manage my workload, which is normally heavy because I concentrate on the functions of composer, singer, arranger, producer and director of my albums. Every third work weekend, for example, I set aside a few days to rest and spend quality time with my family. Far be it from me to dictate a rule that fits everyone. For me, this strategy has worked. The idea is to stay well and prolong my career as much as possible. This is not the time to stop.”

The full report can be read on the magazine’s website. Look. In 2023, djavan will be on the road until the beginning of December, when he will make two presentations at vibratesin Sao Paulo.