Manuel Lopes Andrade, better known as Tcheka, was born on the 20th July 1973 in the port of Ribeira Barca, Santa Catarina district, on Santiago, the most African island of the Cape Verde archipelago.
At a very early age, he began to perform alongside his father, Nho Raul Andrade, a highly popular violinist at the island’s village dances and festivities. At 15 Tcheka began to develop a more personal style, based on batuku, one of Santiago Island’s more popular rhythms that was originally played by women. His aim was to widen the appeal of batuku, turning it into a beat that everyone would love.
In the meantime, Tcheka left his rural home and went to live in Praia, where he became a cameraman for national television, a job that involved travel and broadened his horizons. In Praia, Tcheka met journalist Julio Rodrigues and wrote a number of songs with him. The two played informally in the bars of the Cape Verdean capital.
Tcheka is well known for his work in modernizing batuku, in much the same way as Catchas updated funana, the other great Santiago beat, in the 1970s.
Providing a new reading of batuku while conserving its traditional structures was the message of Tcheka’s first album, titled Argui (rise / stand up in Creole), released in 2003.
On Tcheka’s followup album, Nu Monda (2005), his first release in the United States, Tcheka continued his batuku work and also explored other styles, such as tabanka, a carnival beat, and talulu, which is played on All Saint’s Day on the island of Fogo. At times, morna chords blend, while at other times the style seems to lean towards funk influences, without ever ceasing to be purely Cape Verdean. Tcheka was backed by Kizo Oliveira (bass guitar), Paul Ribeiro (percussion) and Hernani Almeida, a young guitar prodigy who helped to shape some of Cape Verdean artist Bau’s recordings. The album includes a DVD of a live concert in Lisbon.
Lonji, released in 2007, was produced by Brazilian musician Lenine. It was released in the United States through Times Square Records.
In 2025, Tcheka released his sixth album, Spera Mundo. The album highlights his creative freedom, combining traditional Cape Verdean genres such as batuku, funaná, finason, tabanka, morna, and coladeira with modern jazz influences, thanks to a trio of jazz-trained musicians.
A central theme of Spera Mundo is the protection of the sea, which Tcheka views as a vital source of life. The album subtly integrates messages about environmental sustainability and the importance of peace, harmony, and community.
For the official release, Tcheka highlighted three tracks: “Mar di Fogo,” “Setan,” and the title track, “Spera Mundo,” illustrating the album’s stylistic diversity.
Discography
Argui (Lusafrica, 2003)
Nu Monda (Lusafrica, 2005)
Lonji (Lusafrica, 2007)
Dor De Mar (2011)
Boka Kafé (2017)
Spera Mundo (2025)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Updated Tcheka’s discography and biography.