Back in Cape Verde in 1975, Bana found himself on the wrong side of revolutionary politics. He was accused of collaborating with colonial powers, and forced to return to Lisbon. He received an official apology seven years later and returned to a warm welcome.

In 1986, after more than forty years of singing, Bana decided to retire after one last tour of Cape Verde and its huge diaspora. Then, after a ten-year break from the business, Bana took a vacation from retirement to record the album Gira Sol, which was arranged and produced by Ramiro Mendes for MB Records. Hopefully, there will be more to come.

Cape Verde has changed a great deal since a fourteen year-old boy stayed out late to serenade the streets of São Vicente. Born in Cape Verde under the flag of Portugal, Bana has evolved into an international symbol of an independent nation. He has received honors and the Medal of Grand Merit award from the president of Cape Verde, as well as the president of Portugal. ">

Close window

Close window

Year END Appeal advertisement
Get our weekly e-Newsletter!
More on
this artist:
Region
Country
Style

Discography
Glossary

Support Afropop
Easy and secure w/PayPal
Your $20 annual tax-deductible contribution helps Afropop.org grow.
 

Bana
West Africa
Cape Verde
Bana
Almost seventy years old, this seven-foot Cape Verdean singer is a musical giant as well, a success from Mindelo to Lisbon to Paris, and beyond. Read more on Bana...
More Artists
Afropop Worldwide