According to a colleague of his, Eumir Deodato, "Milton Nacimento is something totally new; he has nothing to do with bossa nova . . . he has characteristics of classical music: harmonic and rhythmic processes I only find in classical scores . . . and few people have a deep understanding of what (his) music is."

His roots are in the folk songs of his inland state of Minas Gerais, a landlocked region quite distinct from the style of Rio, Bahia, or the Northwest. An early influence was Peruvian singer Yma Sumac, who, like Milton, posessed an enormous vocal range. He played in jazz clubs, like the bossa nova pioneers in Rio, and by 1965 he won acclaim as a performer at the first MPB festival. In the next year, a major recording of his "Sultry Song" (Canção do Sal) established his songwriting reputation.

His method has usually been collaborative, demonstrated best with musical collective Clube da Esquina in 1970. The double album demonstrated a pop sophistication comparable, quite consciously, with the Beatles.

By 1975 Milton was "discovered" by the North American jazz world via Wayne Shorter's Native Dancer record. Since then, no other MPB star has enjoyed as much international recognition as Milton Nacimento.