from 1986 to 1988, mercury was the lead singer for the band cheiro de amor. mercury continued to pursue a career in music and, by 1988, was a backup singer for gilberto gil. in 1989, recorded her first two albums as the lead singer of pop band companhia clic. their songs "pega que oh!" and "ilha das bananas" became minor hits in bahia radio stations. as the 1990s began, mercury decided to pursue a solo career.