Maria da Conceição Rosa Fonseca Fragoso Santa Maria, Island of Sal, 1950s Singer The singer Sãozinha Fonseca, residing in Boston, USA since 1976, emerged in the Cape Verdean music scene after winning the competition ‘Todo o Mundo Canta’ in 1985, representing the Cape Verdean community in the United States. The Read more
Amandio Cabral Ribeira Brava, São Nicolau, 1935 Singer, Songwriter Amândio Cabral comes from a family of musicians, where his father and uncles played several instruments. Living in São Vicente at the end of the 1950s, he was one of the pioneers in the discography produced in Cape Verde, recording two Read more
José Rui Alves de Pina Praia, 1968 Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist (strings) Born in a family of musicians, Zerui began learning music with his uncle, Nho Djonzinho Alves (see the group Pai e Filhos), starting with the rattle and later string instruments, alongside his cousins. ‘We had something like a school Read more
Adriano Gonçalves Mindelo, São Vicente, 1932 – Lisbon, 2013 Singer, music publisher Bana, considered “the greatest interpreter of morna and coladeira” – genres to which he dedicated his more than 50 years career – is among the Cabo Verdean artists with the most extensive discographies. He was a true giant Read more
Pawtucket, USA, 1972 Singer Daughter of parents from Mindelo, born in the US, as a child she was amazed by Michael and Janet Jackson’s dance moves. At the age of 12 she began singing in the youth choir of the Baptist church she attended, becoming a soloist. After debuting in Read more
Angelo Alberto Lopes Barbosa Assomada, Santiago, 1964 Songwriter, Instrumentalist (guitar, bass, keyboard) Djinho Barbosa was a member of Abel Djassi in the late 1970s, being part of the first formation of the group, which underwent several changes. Before that, still in Assomada, he formed Pó di Terra with his brother Read more
Lourenço Fernandes Silva Tavares Tarrafal, Santiago, 1966 Singer, songwriter Maruka, who sometimes identifies himself as Maruka Xica, was the creator of the Tarraf’all stars project in 2005, which involved artists from Tarrafal de Santiago such as Mário Lúcio, Princezito, Chando Graciosa, and Beto Dias, as well as lesser-known names. The Read more
Ildo Neves de Sousa Lobo Sal, 1953 – Praia, Santiago, 2004 Singer, songwriter Owner of a sonorous, open, and powerful voice, Ildo Lobo was already one of the most acclaimed artists among the Cabo Verdean public long before starting his solo career. From the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, as a Read more
Joaquim de Pina Fajã d’Água, Brava, 1950s Singer, songwriter, producer, businessman Romantic singer, but with an eclectic repertoire where there’s room for the various Cape Verdean rhythms, from morna to funaná, including koladera, and even space for zouk at times and Brazilian music, of which he is an admirer. He Read more
Praia, Santiago, 1960s Singer, songwriter Gardénia Benrós brings together in her work the different musical influences received throughout a journey in which at the age of 16, she found herself in the USA singing in a group composed by young Cape Verdeans, the Tropical Power. From the age 3 to Read more