Calú Bana

Carlos Eduardo Lopes Praia, 1964 Singer, composer Calú Bana, who received this nickname because his voice resembles Bana’s, the famous singer from Mindelo, first gain prominence in the Todo o Mundo Canta contest. He won the first edition in 1982 and the 1989 edition and came in second place in Read more

Calú d’Arquiteto

Carlos David Dias Correia Lopes Praia, Santiago, 1964 Instrumentalist (keyboards), composer Calú d’Arquiteto was a member of Abel Djassi and the Zeca Santos group in the 1980s and, from 1990 onward, of Bulimundo. He participated in the recording of the albums Na Kal Ki Bu ta Linha and Ta Nderia Ka Ta Kai. He found Read more

Anna Lopes

Anna Lopes Ribeira de Ilhéu, Mosteiros, Fogo, [?] Singer After starting out singing in church and becoming known through a singing competition in São Filipe, Fogo island, Anna Lopes emigrated to the United States in the 1990s, and in 2001 recorded her first album, produced by Amadeu Fontes, featuring several Read more

Gau Salgado

Santa Catarina, (1960s) Name: ? Singer, songwriter Gau Salgado, who has lived in the United States since the 1980s, was a member of several groups with other Cabo Verdean musicians, including Arpa Sound and Os Pecos Band. Before emigrating, while still in Assomada, he had participated in Gama 80. Over Read more

Manu Kat

Senegal [1960s] – Florida, USA, 2013 Instrumentalist (keyboards), arranger Son of parents from Brava, born in Senegral, Manu Kat emigrated to the United States with his parentes at the age of 12. He began learning to play keyboards and started his musical career with the group Express One in East Read more

B.Léza

Francisco Xavier da Cruz Mindelo, São Vicente, 1905 – Mindelo, São Vicente, 1958 Songwriter B.Léza is one of the most celebrated Cabo Verdean songwriters. His birthday, December 3rd, is National Morna Day, established in 2018 by the Cabo Verdean government shortly before the submission of Morna’s candidacy to UNESCO, approved Read more

Paulino Vieira

Paulino de Jesus Santos Vieira  Praia Branca, Sao Nicolau, 1956  Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, singer, producer  Revered by musicians for his genius and acclaimed by audiences for the striking success of his compositions, Paulino Vieira is an icon of Cabo Verdean music of his time, leaving a profound mark as a songwriter, Read more

 Kaká Barboza

 Carlos Alberto Lopes Barbosa    Songwriter, poet Mindelo, Sao Vicente 1947 Praia, Santiago 2020  Kaká  Barbosa is one of the names that rise linked to the interventionist music which marks the period immediately prior to and post-independence in Cabo Verde.  His themes were recorded by the two main musical groups of this epoch, Os Read more

Djoy Amado

Jorge Matias Amado Dias Carmona, Uíge, Angola, 1974 Instrumentalist (guitar), songwriter, singer Djoy Amado emerged on the musical scene in Praia in the early 2000s, primarily as a songwriter. His works have been recorded by Mayra Andrade, Diva Barros, Maruka Tavares, Isa Pereira, and Heavy H, and others. He began Read more

Producers and editors

The majority of individuals featured on this page are Cabo Verdeans in the diaspora. Whether in Portugal, the Netherlands, France, or the United States, emigrants have played a vital role in the development and dissemination of Cabo Verdean music – particularly when it comes to recorded works.  This is not Read more