morna
The most well-known style of Cape Verdean music is called, “morna”, the slow, bluesy music made famous by the late Cesaria Evora. A faster, lighter form is called, “coladeira”, a joyous music that Cesaria would leaven her unforgettable concerts with.

The funaná [funɐˈna] is a music and dance genre from Cape Verde. Funaná is an accordion-based music. The rhythm is usually provided by the ferrinho much like the use of washboards in zydeco, the saw in Caribbean ripsaw music, the scraper in Sub-Saharan African music and the güiro in Latin and Pre-Columbian music.

Portuguese
Cape Verde/Official languages

The official language of the islands is Portuguese, which is used in most written communication, including newspapers; however Creole tends to be used in conversation and it’s this you’ll hear being used on a day to day basis. Creole is based on African languages but with additions from several European languages.

With her thick accent, you can tell Exotica from VH1’s For the Love of the Ray J is straight from the islands of CV! Phenomenal jazz singer and actress, the late Lena Horne was reportedly Cape Verdean. Definitely a Cape Verdean Vixen!

Portugal
In 1951, Cape Verde was incorporated as an overseas department of Portugal, but its inhabitants continued to campaign for independence, which they achieved in 1975….Cape Verde.

It is the native creole language of virtually all Cape Verdeans and is used as a second language by the Cape Verdean diaspora….

Funaná has kept the hope and smiles of the Cape Verdean people alive during the most difficult famines. It enabled them to communicate in metaphors without fearing that foreign occupants could ever understand what they were really singing and dancing about.

The name funaná is thought to have originated from a couple that became famous in Santiago due to their expertise at dancing this music and playing the instruments mentioned above. Their names were Funa (he played concertina) and Naná (she played the “ferrinho” – a scraped ideophone)…

Cape Verde is classed as a poor country however, the quality of life ranks highest in the United Nations index of West Africa.

The Cape Verde Islands (known locally as Cabo Verde, the “Green Cape”) lie just off the coast of Senegal in West Africa. Cape Verde is famous for its warm tropical climate, volcanic islands, wonderful musicians, and delicious cuisine.

Cape Verdean descendants

• Michael Beach (1963–), United States actor.
• Ashley Holliday (1985–), United States actress.
• Lena Horne (1917–2010), United States singer, actress, civil rights activist.
• Sara Martins (1977–), Portuguese-born French actress.
• Anika Noni Rose (1972–), United States actress, singer.

Deceased (1917–2010)
Lena Horne/Living or Deceased

Later, the new generation who grew up in Cape Verde featured a slow mixed version of electric pop music with Cape Verdean music styles, a light Compas called “Cabo Love” or “Cabo Zouk”.

In 2011, it would be one of the most recent countries to have its own music award, the Cabo Verde Music Awards was established and awards the greatest songs of the year by Cape Vedean artists (and those of abroad).

Morna is believed to have originated on Boa Vista as a cheerful song-type. Eugénio Tavares was an influential songwriter of the period, and his songs are still extensively performed. Morna also spread to São Vicente, and composers like B. Leza and Manuel de Novas became popular.

Cape Verde is an island archipelago that was uninhabited until the Portuguese arrived in 1462. The sailors brought with them African slaves, and the islands’ population became mixed with elements of both races.