Zé Miguel

Origin

Macapá, AP

Also known as

José Miguel de Souza Cyrillo

Genres

mpb, regional music

Instruments

vocals, guitar

Biography

Zé Miguel is a renowned Brazilian singer, songwriter, writer, and music producer born in Macapá, Amapá. He is recognized as one of the leading figures of Amazonian music, deeply integrating regional Afro-Amapá rhythms such as batuque and marabaixo into his artistic work. He began his musical journey singing in church and playing guitar in local bands during his youth before emerging as a prominent composer in the 1980s music festival scene.

In 1991, he independently released his debut LP, Vida Boa, which spawned a successful title track and firmly established him in the regional music scene alongside contemporaries like Amadeu Cavalcante. Throughout the decades, he has maintained a rich discography featuring solo efforts such as Lume and Acústico, as well as collaborative projects like Planeta Amapari and Dança das Senzalas. His work frequently celebrates the cultural heritage of northern Brazil, connecting traditional local expressions with modern acoustic arrangements.