Wazimbo

An extraordinary voice, the premiere ensemble of the time to back him and a composition that went on to become a hit around the world – Wazimbo’s status as the undisputed king of Mozambican marrabenta is beyond question. Although a genuine hybrid between traditional Mozambican dance rhythms and Portuguese folk music, as the music of choice of FRELIMO (The Mozambique Liberation Front), the famous marrabenta style became the soundtrack to Mozambique’s struggle for independence from Portugal. One of the most famous ensembles of the style’s second heyday in the 1980s was Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Mocambique. Its lead singer, from 1979, was Wazimbo. Vibrating with the overflowing musical wealth of its Caribbean and African roots, complete with the luxuriously opulent production of the time including brass, various guitars and the enchanting back-up choruses throughout, adorning dance tunes and ballads alike: the music of Wazimbo and the Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Mocambique is a monument of grace and joy!