In the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of global music, few names resonate with the diverse talent and innovative spirit quite like Vítor Rêgo.
As an award-winning producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and engineer, originally hailing from the kinetic streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and now a driving force in Los Angeles, Vítor has rapidly established himself as a maestro of modern sound. With millions of streams across various platforms to his name, his work has not only garnered critical acclaim but has consistently helped artists craft high-quality, industry-standard music that speaks to a universal audience.
Vítor’s undeniable talent has been recognized by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where his dedication and innovative approach to sound production was rewarded with the esteemed “Producer Award” at Berklee’s 2023 Career Jam Awards. This accolade was merely a confirmation of a career defined by artistic integrity and a deep understanding of musical emotions.
Beyond his mastery in popular genres like Pop, Rap, Funk, and R&B, Vítor’s passion is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Brazilian music, embracing the rhythmic allure of Samba and Bossa Nova, alongside the infectious beats of Reggaeton. His diverse expertise recently culminated in the production of the main theme song “Cor Do Crime” by Rena Ricio as part of the award-winning film “Trocando De Pele” in 2023, which triumphantly secured two awards at the renowned Guarnicê Festival, further solidifying his versatile impact across various creative mediums.
At the heart of Vítor’s unparalleled success lies a profound production philosophy: to forge a deep, authentic connection between music and its audience. He meticulously crafts songs, prioritizing meaningful lyrics and melodies that authentically convey the song’s intrinsic emotion. His unique approach is a delicate balance between honoring the artist’s vision and anticipating the audience’s potential reception, ensuring every track resonates profoundly and leaves an indelible mark. His ultimate commitment, he asserts, is to create undeniably good music that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
Coliseu Records: A Pandemic-Born Vision
The genesis of Vítor’s influential production company, Coliseu Records, is a testament to his resilience and foresight, born out of the unprecedented challenges of 2020. “It was 2020 when I started Coliseu Records, we were in the middle of the pandemic and I wanted to create more songs,” Vítor recounts. “Basically, everything was shut down and there weren’t many artists to collaborate with. So, I thought to myself that it would be really cool to have my own studio and receive artists in a way that everybody could feel safe. That was when I started doing live streams and was able to earn enough money to build my own studio.”
With the earnings from his live streams, Vítor embarked on transforming this vision into a tangible reality. “So, I started building the studio,” he explains. The initial three months of Coliseu Records proved to be nothing short of extraordinary. “In April, when everything was ready, I started calling artists to join me to create songs. In a short period of time, we produced over thirty songs. After that, we created a profile in Spotify and started releasing those songs. In three months, we had already achieved a Top 10 R&B record in Brazil, playlists covers and 60K monthly listeners.”
Despite this meteoric rise, this success spurred the company’s evolution. “So, in 2023, we moved to our own studio. I have two partners with me that further supported our development on the international stage.” This strategic move allowed Coliseu Records to maintain its strong presence in Brazil while simultaneously establishing a vital foothold in the global music scene collaborating with award-winning and Latin Grammy recognized artists such as Arthur Luna, Tallia, Pedro Emmanuel, and others.
From Label to Creative Hub: The Evolution of Coliseu
Coliseu Records, initially conceived as a traditional record label, has since evolved into a dynamic “creative hub.” Vítor elaborates on this transformative shift: “It started as a label, but today it is a creative hub. We used to have five artists signed to us and manage independent projects while having contracts with these artists. During that time, we also expanded into projects for other artists, writing camps, podcasts and mentorships.”
This pivot reflects a broader industry trend towards versatile service provision, allowing Coliseu Records to adapt and thrive by offering a wider array of specialized services.
The name “Coliseu” itself carries significant meaning for Vítor and his team. “Coliseu means ‘Coliseum’ in Portuguese,” he explains. “I wanted the name to represent a place where we would feel empowered, strong and that we are not playing around.” This powerful imagery perfectly encapsulates the company’s ethos of fostering creativity within a formidable and professional environment.
Noteworthy Collaborations and Impactful Projects
Coliseu Records’ growing reputation has led to collaborations with a diverse array of artists, including high-profile names. When asked about notable partnerships, Vítor mentions, “There’s Mariah Carey, Luisa Sonza, Buchecha, Gabriel Terra, Theus Alves, Lulu Silvério, and many others.”
Detailing some of these significant projects, Vítor highlights: “For Mariah [Carey] I did the ‘Type Dangerous (The Brazil Funk Remix)’ ft. Luisa Sonza, and Raniere ‘Mixed By Rani’ Mimoso, Coliseu Mixing Engineer, mixed the track.” This collaboration exemplifies Coliseu’s ability to seamlessly blend international star power with authentic Brazilian sounds.
His work with Brazilian music icon Buchecha has also been substantial: “Buchecha I did the recording for one song, and we started collaborating with his son and we just finished his first album. Renan Ricio, my partner, also performed with him at Rock the Mountain (a big music festival in Rio de Janeiro).” Furthermore, Coliseu Records is deeply involved with Lulu Silvério, currently working on her second EP, following a successful first release in 2022, with the new project slated for 2025.
The Coliseu Philosophy: Emotion and Innovation
At the core of Coliseu Records’ operational philosophy is an unwavering commitment to emotional resonance in music. “The most important thing we value is the emotion of a song. If a song does not convey any emotion, for us it’s a bad song,” Vítor states emphatically. “It doesn’t matter if it brings you happiness, sadness, doubt, or makes you want to dance. It must spark inside you a sort of feeling. That is what we aim to do in every song we put our hearts on. If it doesn’t make you feel something, you’re not listening to it again.”
This profound belief in the power of emotion guides their search for new talent. “We want to collaborate with artists that are willing to explore,” Vítor explains. “We want to make records, not only songs. To create a record, you need to be bold, do what people want to listen to but in a new way, be creative and innovate; that’s the type of artists we are seeking.” Coliseu Records does not just produce tracks; they are crafting immersive sonic experiences and breaking musical boundaries.
Recent Successes and Future Horizons
Coliseu Records continues to make waves with its releases. “The most recent was Mariah Carey & Luisa Sonza – Type Dangerous (The Brazil Funk Remix),” Vítor confirms, adding that they “also released some songs this year with other smaller Brazilian artists.”
Looking ahead, the calendar for Coliseu Records is filled with exciting projects. “This year we have the release of Ceejay’s (Buchecha’s son) album, Lulu Silvério EP,” Vítor reveals. Most notably, Coliseu Records is embarking on a significant new initiative: “starting a Coliseu Project with Black artists, releasing the first song soon called ‘Pretos Milionários’ performed by Renan Ricio and Black Queen.” This project underscores the company’s commitment to fostering diversity and providing a platform for underrepresented voices in the industry.
From its humble beginnings in a renovated room in Rio de Janeiro to its status as a bicoastal creative powerhouse, Coliseu Records, under the visionary leadership of Vítor Rêgo, embodies the spirit of innovation and authentic musical passion. By prioritizing emotional depth, daring creativity, and strategic collaboration, Vítor and his team are not just shaping the sound of tomorrow; they are building a global community where music truly transcends boundaries and speaks to the soul.
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