Fábio Ramos New Single ‘Um Calice D’Nha Terra’ Out Now

Lusafrica’s rising star, Fábio Ramos, is set to release his debut album, Um Calice D’Nha Terra, on December 6, 2024. In the meantime, Ramos has rolled out his first single, “Um Calice D’Nha Terra,” which shares the album’s title.

In collaboration with acclaimed guitarist Hernani Almeida, Ramos recorded and refined ten tracks for the album, eight of which are his own compositions. The remaining two were written by Manolo and José Lopes. Drawing on his upbringing in Mindelo, Ramos explores traditional Cape Verdean genres like mornas, coladeiras, and batuques, with his smooth, evocative voice.

Born in São Nicolau in 1990, Ramos’ early years were filled with the music of Cesária Évora, though their paths never crossed. His family moved to Mindelo when he was 10, where he learned guitar and grew influenced by Évora’s signature sound.

At 18, Ramos chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and became a sailor, navigating the world’s oceans. While at sea, he felt the pangs of homesickness and began creating music in his cabin to cope with isolation and depression. His early songs, a mix of nostalgic mornas and upbeat coladeiras, resonated with friends and family back home.

In 2018, overwhelmed by longing for home, Ramos returned to Mindelo. There, he met José da Silva, the influential producer behind Cesária Évora, and began work on his debut album.

“My songs are a message about what we lack most today. Understanding, love and happiness,” explains Fábio. His mornas, coladeiras and batuques evoke his drifting on the seas, his grandmother (Nha rosa), his cousin (Lembrança), Mindelo (Soncen De Otr’hora) and of course love (Ariela, Bom Dia, Eterno, Um Calice).

Fábio Ramos adss: “I have immense respect for people like Miri Lobo, Bana and especially Cesária Évora, who have always inspired me. But all those years spent on the seas have given me the strength to believe that, in all modesty, I can also make my contribution. One day I’d like to be part of the musical heritage of our beautiful country!”