Massukos are considered national treasure in their native country of Mozambique, renown both for their stunning music and the humanitarian work that they do. The band are firmly making their mark as initiators of social change.
Originating from Niassa in northern Mozambique, one of the poorest parts of Africa, Massukos speak out against the hardships that have affected their lives. Passionate about what they do, the band travels for miles to remote villages to deliver simple life-saving messages about hygiene, sanitation and HIV/AIDs.
Feliciano dos Santos – the leader of Massukos – is also the director of the award winning NGO Estamos, partner to WaterAid and Oxfam. He is affectionately known by his many fans as ‘the Elton John’ of Mozambique.
The band’s unique and uplifting music preserves the traditional rhythms of Niassa province that were all but extinct after many years of Civil War. They sold more than 80,000 copies of their first album and their sensational new album Bumping – featuring jazz legends Harry Beckett and Steve Buckley – promises to follow suit.
Massukos’ first live public performance in 1994 coincided with the start of the peace process, following 17 years of civil war. Many of Mozambique’s musicians and artists had fled the country during the war and the band set out to preserve and spread the traditional rhythms of Niassa province that were virtually extinct. The group’s reputation grew and their music soon captivated international audiences. They made their first international trip in 1998 to perform at the EXPO 98 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Their debut album Kuimba kwa Massuko (recorded in 2001) achieved phenomenal sales and sealed their success. Voted best album in 2002, it won a gold disc in 2003. Later that year they were voted best group in Mozambique and they then went on to win the International Prize for Water at the Cannes Water Symposium.
In 2004 they appeared at the Third World Water Forum in Japan and toured with the UK band Empty Boat as part of an event organized by Poo Productions in association with WaterAid UK.
In 2005, the designated “Year of Africa” Massukos toured the UK, where they played before more than 100,000 at the Make Poverty History Rally in Edinburgh, recorded their latest album Bumping and performed live on the BBC London 94.9 Charlie Gillett show and on Resonance FM. Other high-profile gigs included BBC Africa Live at the British Museum and UNICEF Children’s C8 conference in Dunblane.
Massukos released their second album Bumping on the 9th of July 2007.
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.
