In a fascinating intersection of traditional Brazilian music and cutting-edge technology, the iconic sertanejo duo Bruno & Marrone have unveiled a surprising secret behind their latest hit. Their new single, 'De Tanto Eu Amar Você,' features an unprecedented partnership with samba legend Zeca Pagodinho, a collaboration that might never have happened without the intervention of Artificial Intelligence.
The story begins with a songwriting session between Bruno, his son Vinícius Félix, and composer Elias Muniz. The original composition was crafted in the romantic sertanejo style that has defined the duo's decades-long career. However, the creative process took an unexpected turn when the team decided to experiment with AI technology to explore the song's potential.
According to Bruno, who shared the details during an interview at the Ribeirão Rodeo Music 2026 festival, his son processed the track through an AI system. The technology didn't just tweak the arrangement—it completely reimagined the song's genre, transforming it from a sertanejo ballad into a vibrant pagode number. This digital metamorphosis sparked an idea that would lead to one of the year's most talked-about collaborations.
Taking the experiment a step further, Vinícius used the AI to simulate Zeca Pagodinho's distinctive voice singing alongside his father and Marrone. The result was so compelling that Bruno immediately recognized the song's new direction. 'I heard how it turned out and said: we have to record this with Zeca Pagodinho,' Bruno recalled. The legendary sambista listened to the AI-generated demo, loved the concept, and agreed to lend his voice to the official recording.
The resulting track, now classified as 'sambanejo'—a fusion of samba and sertanejo—has been available on streaming platforms since late April. The accompanying music video, shot in a relaxed samba roda atmosphere, was filmed over two days, including behind-the-scenes footage at Zeca Pagodinho's bar in Rio de Janeiro. Since its release on YouTube on May 1st, the video has already surpassed 4 million views, demonstrating the public's enthusiasm for this innovative musical blend.
This AI-assisted creation represents just one of several new ventures for Bruno & Marrone this year. The duo is also preparing to record a new audiovisual project, 'De Volta Aos Bares 2,' in São Paulo on May 13th. This DVD will feature 31 songs, including 20 re-recordings and 11 new tracks, showcasing the duo's effort to modernize their classic hits with contemporary arrangements and visuals suited for modern television technology.
Unlike some of their previous projects, this upcoming DVD will not feature guest artists. Bruno emphasized the strength of their own catalog, noting that they could easily perform a four-hour show using only their original material—a testament to their prolific career spanning over three decades. While they avoid singling out a favorite song, both acknowledge the enduring impact of 'Dormi na Praça,' the 1994 hit that Marrone credits with eternizing their legacy in Brazilian music history.
Based on reporting from g1.