Maria Rita

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Maria Rita Carvalho Costa

Years Active

2001

Genres

MPB, samba, jazz, bossa nova

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Maria Rita is a multi-platinum Brazilian singer and songwriter, born into one of the most prestigious musical families in Brazil as the daughter of the legendary vocalist Elis Regina and the acclaimed pianist and arranger César Camargo Mariano. Despite her lineage, she delayed her professional entry into music until her mid-twenties, first pursuing a degree in Social Communication and Latin American Studies at New York University. Her professional debut was heavily influenced by her desire to establish a unique artistic identity separate from her mother's towering legacy, a challenge she met with critical and commercial success.

Her self-titled debut album in 2003 was a phenomenon, selling over a million copies worldwide and earning her several Latin Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist—the only Brazilian to ever win in that category. Initially mentored by the iconic Milton Nascimento, who featured her on his album Pietá, Maria Rita quickly became the leading voice of her generation in MPB (Música Popular Brasileira). Over the years, her style evolved from jazz-inflected arrangements to a deep exploration of samba, notably with the award-winning album Samba Meu and the 2014 release Coração a Batucar.

In 2012, Maria Rita celebrated her mother's career with the project Redescobrir, which saw her performing Elis Regina's repertoire for the first time in a massive public tour. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with prominent Brazilian musicians such as Lenine, Arlindo Cruz, and Davi Moraes. With eight Latin Grammys to her name, she remains a central figure in contemporary Brazilian music, praised by international critics for her powerful yet delicate contralto voice and her sophisticated stage presence.

Discography

• Segundo (2005)
• Segundo (Estados Unidos) (2005)
• Samba Meu (2007)
• Elo (2011)
• Redescobrir (Live At Credicard Hall, São Paulo / 2012) (2012)
• Coração a Batucar (2014)
• O Samba em Mim (Ao Vivo na Lapa) (2016)
• Amor e Música (2018)
• Samba da Maria (Ao Vivo) (2023)