Tag: Angola

Music from Angola – Dontana

Dontana is a singer, songwriter, percussionist and composer from Angola, now living in Bavaria, Germany. After several years of singing in a choir and learning to play new instruments, he created his own sytle of music: a mix of traditional and modern African music. Have a listen to his great song “Tadi ko“:

Music from Portugal – Zeca Afonso

Zeca Afonso (1929-1987) was a Portuguese folk and political musician. Zeca lived in Angola and Mosambik in his youth and later studied in Coimbra, Portugal. In 1974, his politicaly banned song “Grândola, Vila Morena” was played by the radio after midnight and became a symbol in the fight against the dictatorship and started the Carnation Revolution.

Really an amazing musician so have a listen to “Canção de Embalar” too:

Music from Angola – Bonga Kuenda

Bonga Kuenda, Icon of Angolan music Bonga is on first-name terms with the stars and has given true meaning to the concept (albeit multifaceted) of ‘Africanness’. From Luanda to Rotterdam, Paris to Lisbon, and everywhere else, Bonga belongs to that caste of African singers who have sublimated their roots. His rasping, powerful voice is immediately identifiable and anyone listening to his albums remains entranced from start to finish. With its eighteen tracks, this “Best of” illustrates a fascinating career that spans different periods and continents with the Atlantic Ocean as its connecting thread.

He was born José Adelino Barcelo de Carvalho in Kipri in 1943, but changed his name to Bonga Kuenda when he reached his teens, already showing a keen awareness of the realities of Portuguese colonialism. He learned about music from his father, a fisherman and accordionist, and rapidly grasped its potential impact when linked to the political aspirations of his generation and an inexhaustible melancholic vein. Here is the song “Kambua”

listen too Mulemba Xangola.

 

Music from Mozambique – Neyma

Neyma Julio Alfredo (born 6 May 1979) is a Mozambican singer, born in Maputo. Neyma’s passion for music began at a young age where she sang at various events in and around Maputo.However, her breakthrough came when she was given a recording contract and in 1999 released her first album, Brigas. It featured the popular singles “Brigas”, “Mae virtude mais bela” and the well received single, “Praia feliz”, which won her much publicity.

In the summer of 2005, Neyma released Arromba, her most popular album to date which sold more than 40,000 copies in Mozambique alone and had an outstanding sale internationally. The album was well received in Angola, Cape Verde, and Portugal. The album features the self titled single, Arromba which is kizomba genre. Another single off the album which was well received was Lirrandzo, which turned out to be the most popular song the year, and Arromba turned out to be the summer anthem of 2005. Here is the song “Como Anima a Marrabenta”

see also A Hi Dzimeni .

Music from Angola – Mr. Wonder

Bráulio Éfrem da Silva, aka Mr. Wonder, is Angolan songwriter and music producer from Luanda, performing hip-hop, soul and R&B. Mr. Wonder never released a CD but is one of the most expressive musician of the urban and street music. Influenced by 2pac Shakur, Fugees and BOSS AC, he started sing on his teenager. in 1999 with friend created a band called “BMCJ”, and recorded a freestyle tape with American bits that was a huge success.

In 2002 with a cousin and Lil M (C.D.A), Rajiboy and the late NHA LISANDRA created the “RBoys” band and the song “Vamos Tchilar”, directed by Boy DC and V.A.Z was also a huge success on radio and TV  In 2005 with Mallaryah (BDF music productions), Black Boys, MGC and Sinatra they created The WonderBoyz Entertainment. Here is his song “Teu baby”

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Music from Angola – Irmãos Verdade

Irmãos Verdade is a Angolan Kizomba/Semba Band. They decided to experiment the angolan Kuduro genre. Here is their fusion of Kizomba and Kuduro “Kuduro Kaliente”:

Music from Angola – Ary

Ariovalda Eulália Gabriel, (10 of August 1986) well-known by his stage name ARY (ready Ari) is Angolan singer performing semba, kizomba and kilapanga. Here is her song “Betinho”

Music from Portugal/Angola – Buraka Som Sistema

Buraka Som Sistema is a portuguese angolan kuduro group. When I first listened to kuduro, I must admit, it was strange to me, but now, it’s good :D . Here’s “IC19”: