Milionário & José Rico

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Milionario e Jose Rico

Years active

1970–2015

Genres

sertanejo, música caipira

Instruments

vocal, violão, harp, accordion

Biography

Milionário & José Rico was one of the most successful and influential duos in the history of Brazilian sertaneja music. Formed in 1970 by singers Romeu Januário de Matos (Milionário) and José Alves dos Santos (José Rico), the partnership lasted for over four decades and earned them the prestigious nickname "as gargantas de ouro do Brasil" (the golden throats of Brazil) due to their remarkable vocal power. Their musical style innovated the traditional genre by incorporating elements of symphonic arrangements, harps, trumpets, and accordions, blending regional Brazilian sounds with Mexican, Paraguayan, and gypsy musical influences.

Throughout their illustrious career, the duo released dozens of influential albums and achieved massive national and international acclaim with iconic hits such as "Estrada da Vida" and "Decida". Beyond their extensive discography, they also starred in feature films based on their lives and music, including the classic 1980 biographical film directed by Nelson Pereira dos Santos. Following a brief separation in the 1990s during which they pursued other projects alongside artists like Mathias and Robertinho, they reunited in 1994 and continued performing together until José Rico's passing in 2015. Their enduring legacy paved the way for numerous artists in the Brazilian countryside music scene, deeply inspiring legendary acts such as Marciano, Michel Teló, and Matogrosso & Mathias.