Rionegro & Solimões

Origin

Claraval, MG

Years active

1978

Genres

sertanejo, arrasta-country, country

Instruments

guitar, viola caipira, accordion, percussion

Biography

Rionegro & Solimões is a renowned Brazilian sertanejo duo formed by childhood friends José Divino Neves, known as Rionegro, and Luiz Felizardo, known as Solimões. Both artists were born in Claraval, Minas Gerais, and later moved to Franca, São Paulo, where they initially worked in a shoe factory before pursuing a full-time career in music in the late 1980s. Their unique musical style blends traditional Brazilian country elements, such as the viola caipira and accordion, with North American country influences, creating a high-energy genre often described as arrasta-country.

Throughout their extensive career, the duo achieved massive commercial success with chart-topping hits like Peão Apaixonado, De São Paulo a Belém, and Bate o Pé. They became famous for drawing massive crowds of tens of thousands of fans across Brazil and earning numerous gold, platinum, and diamond certifications for their record sales. Along the way, they drew inspiration from legendary acts like Tonico & Tinoco and Milionário & José Rico, while heavily influencing subsequent generations of sertanejo artists.

Over the decades, Rionegro & Solimões transitioned from traditional intimate seresteiro arrangements to a more vibrant, pop-infused country sound that captivated millions of listeners nationwide. Their enduring partnership and high-energy live performances have cemented their legacy as one of the most iconic and successful duos in the history of Brazilian sertanejo music, alongside contemporaries like Chitãozinho & Xororó and Tião Carreiro & Pardinho.