Zeca Duarte

Zeca Duarte came from rural Minas Gerais, and his music was shaped by the folklore of that region. He worked as a migrant laborer in São Paulo's sugarcane fields, an experience that directly informed his most famous song, 'Esse Bicho Mata.' The track's stark depiction of worker exploitation gave it a raw, documentary quality that resonated widely.

That song became a kind of anthem, but its pointed social commentary also drew attention from Brazil's military regime. Duarte's music was labeled subversive, and he faced censorship and persecution for it. He kept writing through the 1970s and 80s, releasing albums like 'Todos os Cantos do Mundo' and 'Luz Negra.'

He worked with other musicians, including Chico Buarque and Milton Nascimento. His band had various lineups over time, with members like vocalist Mariene de Castro and guitarist Geraldo Vianna. Duarte's music stayed rooted in folk traditions, using them to frame stories about labor and displacement without softening the edges.