Ney Matogrosso

Origin

Bela Vista, MS

Also known as

Ney de Souza Pereira, Nei Mato Grosso

Years Active

1971–present

Genres

MPB, rock, samba, pop, bolero, fado, tango

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Ney Matogrosso is a legendary Brazilian singer, dancer, and actor, widely regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful voices in the history of Brazilian music. Born in Mato Grosso do Sul, he began his career in the early 1970s as the lead singer of the glam-rock group Secos & Molhados. His use of heavy makeup, exotic costumes, and an androgynous stage persona challenged the conservative norms of the Brazilian military dictatorship, making him a symbol of artistic rebellion and freedom. During this period, he immortalized songs like 'Sangue Latino' and 'Rosa de Hiroshima.'

Starting his solo career in 1975 with the album 'Água do Céu - Pássaro,' Matogrosso transitioned from the theatrical rock of his early years to a sophisticated repertoire of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira). Throughout the decades, he has interpreted the works of legendary composers such as Chico Buarque, Cartola, and Tom Jobim. His 1981 hit 'Homem com H' became a massive commercial success, showcasing his ability to blend regional forró rhythms with his unique performative style. His career is marked by a constant evolution of image, moving from elaborate feathered costumes to more sober, yet equally magnetic, stage presences.

Beyond his vocal talent, Matogrosso is a respected lighting designer and director, having worked on iconic shows for artists like Cazuza and Simone. He has also ventured into cinema, both as an actor and the subject of documentaries and biopics. Known for his fierce independence and refusal to be labeled by his sexuality, he remains an active and influential figure in the Brazilian cultural landscape, recently collaborating with contemporary artists and continuing to tour with high-energy performances like 'Bloco na Rua.'

Discography

• Água do Céu - Pássaro (1975) (1975)
• Bandido (1976)
• Pecado (1977)
• Feitiço (1978)
• 2 É demais! (1978)
• Seu Tipo (1979)
• Sujeito Estranho (1980)
• Ney Matogrosso (1981)
• Mato Grosso (1982)
• Caetano Veloso, João Bosco, Ney Matogrosso – Brazil Night Montreux 83 - Gravado Ao Vivo No 17º Festival de Montreux / Julho 83 (1983)
• ...Pois É (1983)
• Destino de Aventureiro (1984)
• Manequim (1985)
• Bugre (1986)
• Pescador de Pérolas (1987)
• Villa-Lobos - João Carlos Assis Brasil, Ney Matogrosso, Wagner Tiso – A Floresta do Amazonas (1988)
• Quem Não Vive Tem Medo da Morte (1988)
• Vamos pra Lua (1988)
• Ao Vivo (1989)
• Ney Matogrosso & Rafael Rabello – À Flor da Pele (1990)
• Ney Matogrosso & Aquarela Carioca – As Aparências Enganam (1993)
• Estava Escrito (1994)
• Um Brasileiro (1996)
• O Cair da Tarde (1997)
• Olhos de Farol (1998)
• Vivo (1999)
• Batuque (2001)
• Ney Matogrosso Interpreta Cartola (2002)
• Ney Matogrosso Interpreta Cartola (Ao Vivo) (2003)
• Ney Matogrosso, Pedro Luís e a Parede – Vagabundo (2004)
• Canto em Qualquer Canto (2005)
• Ney Matogrosso, Pedro Luís e a Parede – Vagabundo Ao Vivo (2006)
• Inclassificáveis (2008)
• Pérolas 2 com Ney Matogrosso (2008)
• Beijo Bandido (2009)
• Dan Nakagawa Convida Ney Matogrosso (2009)
• Beijo Bandido (Ao Vivo) (2010)
• Rio de Janeiro (2012)
• Atento aos Sinais (2013)
• Marília Bessy Convida Ney Matogrosso – Infernynho (2013)
• Atento aos Sinais Vivo (2014)
• Ney Matogrosso anos 70 (2017)
• Bloco na Rua (2019)
• Nu com a Minha Música (2021)
• Ney 80 anos (2021)
• Ney Matogrosso & Hecto – Canções para um Novo Mundo (2025)