Pupillo

Origin

Recife, PE

Also known as

Pupillo Oliveira

Genres

manguebeat, mpb, rock, alternative rock

Instruments

drums, percussion, programming

Biography

Romário Menezes de Oliveira Jr., better known as Pupillo, was born in Recife on March 8, 1975. He established himself as a prominent Brazilian drummer, soundtrack composer, and music producer, beginning his journey playing in various bands in his hometown during his youth. His career took a major turn in 1995 when Chico Science invited him to join the influential band Nação Zumbi, an iconic group of the manguebeat movement. He remained with Nação Zumbi until 2018, contributing to several acclaimed albums and relocating first to Rio de Janeiro and later to São Paulo.

Beyond his work with Nação Zumbi, Pupillo built an extensive portfolio as a producer, working with notable acts such as Céu, Otto, Mundo Livre S/A, Gal Costa, and Erasmo Carlos. He also engaged in various side projects like 3 na massa, Seu Jorge e Almaz, and Los Sebozos Postizos, further expanding his musical reach. His production credits span key releases like Gal Costa's A Pele do Futuro and Céu's Tropix, bridging traditional Brazilian rhythms with contemporary sounds.

In addition to his studio and stage work, Pupillo has composed scores for Brazilian cinema and released solo and collaborative projects under aliases like Sonorado. His artistic footprint continues to influence the alternative music scene in Brazil, maintaining deep connections to both the northeastern heritage of his upbringing and the vibrant urban sounds of São Paulo. He is married to the singer Céu, with whom he shares children.