Ste Mandela gives a modern twist to traditional beats

Music has always been present in his life. His father had a collection of vinyl records, as well as several cassette tapes. Music from all over the world, from Brazil, North America and even Asia, guarantees Ste Mandela.

“My older brother played guitar and keyboards, and when he was fifteen he went abroad to study. On the day of the trip, he left the guitar with the guy and told me to go and bring it there. He taught me how to play, some basic notes, but I wasn’t very interested in it. Then I started meeting people in my area, older people, my older brother’s age, playing guitar, and I became fascinated by the sound that came from my brother’s guitar. to my friends for the guitar, but it never came back. So when I was fourteen, I started asking my mother for a guitar, and when I was fifteen, he offered it to me,” says Ste Mandela.

The Cape Verdean musician then began to play the guitar, but at the age of sixteen his interest in rap began to appear.

“Rap was already in vogue. We were influenced by CDs coming from the United States and some Cape Verdean rappers started to emerge. I formed a rap duo with my best friend. It was there that my writing career as a composer began. . Then I emigrated to the USA when I was eighteen, I met friends with whom I was already rapping. We went into the studio and recorded the album, but it never came out,” laments Ste Mandela, who at the time was disappointed because it was a dream.

The singer then went to Brazil and returned to his guitar and composing music. He made several friends with whom he played in small bars. Two years later he was invited to join the group. reggaeRebel Lion from Fortaleza, with whom he stayed for three years, performing in several cities in northeastern Brazil.

Ste was born in Praia and his music features Cape Verdean rhythms. “I grew up listening to different rhythms and all these influences are present in my music. From morna, coladeira, batuca, funana, bandeira, mazurka, but also rapABOUT reggae, ABOUT Jazz, classical music, MPB. In fact, this is our work: we take Cape Verdean rhythms and give them a modern twist, and the lyrics reflect our African heritage and the current political and social situation in Africa.”

The Cape Verdean singer’s latest work is called “Fetu na Afreeka” (made in Africa). “What we are doing now is creating a new cultural identity by mixing Cape Verdean rhythms with world music and celebrating African culture and African characters,” says the singer, who intends to showcase the music that he is with his participation in the Atlantic Music Expo . does and hopes to be able to perform at alternative music festivals next year, spreading his message.

The album was produced by percussionist Ndou Carlos in collaboration with the Gota d’Arte association, with which Ndou is associated.

“He takes children off the street. They go there to study art, theater, music and, above all, citizenship. These are children from disadvantaged families, most of the children do not pay, he just welcomes the children so that they do not run out.” This is a very beautiful initiative that needs support to continue this work. The group I’m playing with today is made up of children who have passed through his hand since they were children, concludes Ste Mandela.