Nei Braz Lopes (born May 9, 1942 in Irajá, Rio de Janeiro) is a singer, composer, lawyer, writer and historian, working primarily with the Brazilian genre of samba and African-Brazilian studies.

Born in Irajá in Rio de Janeiro (a traditional samba neighborhood which also brought us Zeca Pagodinho, among others), Nei Lopes graduated as an attorney at law from the University of Brazil, but at the start of the 70's abandoned his recently begun legal career to dedicate himself to music and literature. A professional composer since 1972, Nei Lopes became prominent especially through his partnership with Wilson Moreira and by their work, recorded by almost all interpreters of traditional samba. In the 80's, Nei, already acclaimed, was one of the supporters of the Pagode movement, which took samba back to the airwaves after an eclipse period.

In the 90's, Nei started partnerships with people identified with the MPB label, such as composer Guinga and Zé Renato. He also has a song with Chico Buarque.

Nei is the author of a vast book opus concerning Afro-Brazilian thematics, and samba thematics in particular. He has been working, since 1995, in the "Brazilian Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora", his most ambitious work.

DISCOGRAPHY
- 1975: Tem Gente Bamba Na Roda de Samba (Continental)
- 1981: A Arte Negra de Wilson Moreira e Nei Lopes (EMI/Odeon)
- 1983: Negro Mesmo (Lira/Continental)
- 1985: O Partido Muito Alto de Wilson Moreira e Nei Lopes (EMI/Odeon)
- 1996: Zumbi 300 Anos - Canto Banto (Saci)
- 1996: Canto Banto - Saci
- 1999: Sincopando o Breque (CPC/Umes)
- 2000: De Letra & Música (Velas)
- 2003: Celebração: Nei Lopes 60 Anos (Carioca Discos)
- 2004: Partido ao Cubo (Fina Flor)
- 2005: Estava Faltando Você (Nilze Carvalho - Fina Flor) (participation)
- 2009: Chutando o Balde (Fina Flor)
- 2012: Baú da Dona Ivone (participation)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
- 1981: O Samba na Realidade
- 1988: Bantos, Malês e Identidade Negra
- 1992: O Negro no Rio de Janeiro e sua Tradição Musical
- 1996: Dicionário Banto do Brasil (Brazilian Banto Dictionary)
- 1996: Incursões sobre a pele: poemas
- 1999: 171 - Lapa-Irajá - Casos e Enredos do Samba - Folha Seca
- 2000: Zé Keti, O Samba sem Senhor
- 2000: Logunedé, Santo Menino que Velho Respeita
- 2001: Guimbaustrilho e outros mistérios suburbanos
- 2002: Logunedé: santo menino que velho respeita
- 2003: Sambeabá: o samba que não se aprende na escola
- 2004: Enciclopédia Brasileira da Diáspora Africana
- 2005: Partido Alto: Samba de Bamba - Pallas
- 2005: Kitábu, o livro do saber e do espírito negro-africanos
- 2009: Chutando o balde
- 2009: Mandingas da Mulata Velha na Cidade Nova 
- 2015: Rio Negro, 50

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