Nação Zumbi

The Brazilian band Nação Zumbi emerged from the Manguebeat movement in Recife in the 1990s as the band of singer Chico Science. With Science's sudden death in 1997, Nação Zumbi continued its path. It was no easy challenge. They continued a body of work that had been consecrated with two albums produced with Chico Science. Da Lama ao Caos (1994) and Afrociberdelia (1996) are two essential albums for Brazilian pop music of the 1990s, showing how regional music can be reinvented and updated.

CSNZ, a double album from 1998, released after Science's death, featured remixes, live tracks, and unreleased songs, closing one phase and beginning a new challenge for Nação Zumbi.

Jorge Du Peixe (vocals), Lúcio Maia (guitar), Toca Ogam (percussion), Alexandre Dengue (bass), Gilmar Bolla 8 (percussion), and Pupilo (drums) released their first album as Nação Zumbi in 2000. Titled Rádio S.AMB.A, the album, released by the YBrazil?Music label, featured the hit track "Quando a Maré Encher". In 2002, the group signed a contract with the Trama label, through which the band released a self-titled album, Nação Zumbi. This work featured the songs "Meu Maracatu Pesa Uma Tonelada", "Blunt of Judah", and "Prato de Flores".

The album Futura, released in 2005, was produced in collaboration with Scott Hard (who worked with De La Soul). In this work, the band dedicates itself to electronic experiments and textures, placing the maracatu drums in the background. Among the guest musicians are Mauricio Takara from Hurtmold and Fernando Catatau from Cidadão Instigado.

Produced by Mario Caldato Jr., the album Fome de Tudo was released in 2007 by the Deckdisc label. After a long time, Nação Zumbi released a new studio album in 2014, their second self-titled album.

From 2015 onwards, the group underwent significant changes in its lineup with the departure of Gilmar Bola 8. This decision was also made by Pupillo in 2018. In 2017, the band released Radiola NZ Vol. 1, a cover album with re-recordings of songs by Gilberto Gil ("Refazenda"), Tim Maia ("Balanço"), The Beatles ("Tomorrow Never Knows"), Marvin Gaye ("Sexual Healing"), David Bowie ("Ashes To Ashes"), among others. In the early 2020s, Lúcio Maia left the group to dedicate himself to other projects.