Nelson Sargento (Rio de Janeiro, July 25, 1924), Nelson Mattos' stage name, is a Brazilian composer, singer, researcher of popular music, plastic artist, actor and writer. His trajectory in music, literature and the arts is sufficient for various carnivals. He lived for long years on the hills of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Currently lives in Tijuca and is considered a citizen of the world, since his music is known at least in the Americas and Japan. Nelson Sargento has been fighting for samba since the 1950s, when the genre was marginalized. Nelson joined the group A Voz do Morro, along with Paulinho da Viola, Ze Kéti, Elton Medeiros, Jair do Cavaquinho, Jose da Cruz and Anescarzinho. Among his musical composition partners are Cartola, Carlos Cachaça, Darcy da Mangueira, João de Aquino, Pedro Amorim, Daniel Gonzaga and Rô Fonseca.