Mariana Fernandes de Sousa (born 19 February 2001), known professionally as Mari Fernandez, is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, businesswoman and instrumentalist.

[3][4] Born in Alto Santo, Fernandez began singing at the age of seven, at school and in the churches she attended, giving the first signs of her interest in a musical career.

[6][7] Between 2021 and 2024, she released songs such as "Comunicação Falhou", "Eu Gosto Assim" and "Seu Brilho Sumiu", among others, with partnerships such as Nattan, Gustavo Mioto, Israel & Rodolffo and Maiara & Maraisa.

Over time, Fernandez performed her compositions in the voice of forró and piseiro artists, such as Tarcísio do Acordeon and Vitor Fernandes.

[5] Fernandez's first opportunity to sing professionally was through recommendations from friends who made the singer meet her manager; he needed a female voice for a piseiro project.

On 8 October 2022, 23 days after its release, the song reached 1st place on the Top 1 Brazil chart on the Spotify streaming platform after having debuted at position 115.

in August 2021, Fernandez stated that she had as references Alceu Valença, Marília Mendonça, Os Barões da Pisadinha, Zé Vaqueiro, Xand Avião, Solange Almeida and Wesley Safadão.

[35] In December 2023, in an interview with FM radio O Dia, Fernandez reaffirmed her inspiration for Marília, and also mentioned the duo Maiara & Maraisa, highlighting the importance of the three for "breaking taboos" in relation to the female presence in music.