The concerts take place on November 19 and 20, in Lisbon and Porto, respectively.
“In addition to the most popular songs from the public, such as ‘Mariquinha’, ‘Olhos Molhados’ or ‘Homem do Saco’, they will be part of the alignment of these concerts celebrating some of the themes of ‘Kintal’, the singer’s new album. that take us back to one’s own life course”, can be read in the statement released today by Grupo Chiado.
Bonga is the artistic name of José Adelino Barceló de Carvalho, born in Kipiri, Angolan province of Bengo, in 1942.
On his 75th birthday, in an interview with Lusa, Bonga recalled “the difficult times” he lived, having “been banned from acting, even in Angola”, and when Angolan music, “in a pejorative way, was called of folklore”.
“There was a period of prejudice, which they called [à música angolana] the folklore, which was a bit pejorative, and [houve] Obtaining that I had to face, because it was a different music, which was not valued, less heard, and today, more than ever, I am aware of having put a brick in this great construction that is the consequent dissemination of our Angolan music / African”, said the musician, who attributed that Angolan music, nowadays, “is more recognized and respected than it was 20 years ago”.
Referring to musical fusions as kizomba and kuduro, the musician considered that “they run the risk of passing quickly”, unlike the genre he always sang, “the semba, which is defined, which is Angolan, and is timeless, in fact, even those who make these mergers end up hitting semba”.
Bonga referred to semba as a song “which has its own expression and a very strong experience in relation to a whole people who made it their way of life”.
Bonga compared itself to Port Wine, stating that “the older the better” and hence “to continue to be sung by the younger ones”.
Bonga debuted in 1972 with the album “Angola’72”, which was followed by another 39, including five compilations and two live recorded. In 2014, France awarded him the Order of Arts and Letters, knighthood.