One of the first professional recording singers of Brazil, Eduardo das Neves enjoyed national success throughout the 16 years of his recording career. Some of his compositions became classics and experienced broad exposure, having been recorded by other artists.

He became famous as a clown since his apparition in 1895 as Palhaço Negro, Diamante Negro, Dudu das Neves, and Crioulo Dudu. He released his first poetry book in 1900 (-O Cantor de Modinhas, Livraria Quaresma, Rio de Janeiro RJ), soon followed by -O Trovador da Malandragem (around 1903) and -Mistérios do Violão (1905). Neves toured Brazil on several occasions, performing his comic act and singing his own compositions, accompanying himself on the violão (acoustic guitar). Some of those songs became national hits after he recorded them for Casa Edison, for he was a member of the first group of professional recording singers of Brazil, together with Cadete, Nozinho, Baiano, and Mário Pinheiro.

Some of his biggest hits were "Homenagem a Santos Dumont" (recorded by Baiano in 1902), "Perdão Emília," and "Minas Gerais," his version for the Neapolitan song "Vieni Sul Mar." He performed "Homenagem a Santos Dumont," his most widely known song, in homage to the aviation pioneer after his arrival in Brazil. The homage (organized as a serenata) was realized on September 7, 1903, and also had the participation of Sátiro Bilhar, Quincas Laranjeiras, Chico Borges, Ventura Careca, Mário Cavaquinho, Galdino Cavaquinho, João Riper, José Cavaquinho, Irineu de Almeida, Alfredo Leite, Passos, Geraldo, Felisberto Marques, Luís de Souza, Licas, Villa-Lobos, and Sinhô. The first song he recorded was "A Gargalhada," included in Casa Edison's first catalog of 1902. Until his demise in 1919, Neves recorded many plates, in diverse genres.

The 1913, his catalog credits him with the cançonetas "Os Reclamantes" and "A Reforma," the folkloric theme "Suçu Sossega" and "Feijoada Completa" (both in duet with Baiano), and the lundus "Amor No Sertão" and "Caboclo do Norte." The February 1913 catalog has the modinha "O Meu Segredo," the canção "Vem Cá, Morena," the lundu "O Mendigo," and several others. As a singer, his biggest successes were the canção "Minas Gerais," the modinha "Estela," the lundu "O Soldado Que Perdeu a Parada," "Homenagem a Santos Dumont," "Perdão Emília," and others. Many of his recordings were done in duet or choir with Baiano, Mário Pinheiro, Nozinho, Risoleta, Isaura Lopes, and Nina Teixeira. ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi