MicoJoao, the pseudonym of a Calabrian-Brazilian artist who grew up between São Paulo and Cosenza, is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who fuses Brazilian and Italian musical traditions. He moved to Bologna and started the project MicoJoao & Os Macacos Loucosa band composed of musicians from different regions of Italy. Their unique style mixes Brazilian rhythms, funk, indie and R&B, creating a sound that conjures up images of the sea, alternating between calm and storm, and conveys feelings of tropical fruits, spiciness and reflections on collective malaise.​

On 13 December 2024, the group released their debut EP entitled "MicoJoao & Os Macacos Loucos Vol. 1".available on all major digital platforms. This work collects five tracks composed between 2022 and 2023, recorded in a basement in the historical centre of Bologna. The songs recount episodes from everyday life, exploring the difficulties of young people forced to give up their dreams because of alienating jobs imposed by society. The alternating use of Portuguese and Italian in the texts allows for the expression of nuances and deep meanings, enriching the listening experience. ​

The project took shape in 2022 with a sold-out live performance in Bologna, sharing the stage with artists such as Francesco Morrone, Davide Amati and Leo Gassman, in an event organised by the collective Marley Sessionwhich MicoJoao subsequently joined. During 2023, the band worked on writing new songs, culminating in the release of their first EP.