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Bonga, born José Adelino Barceló de Carvalho on September 5, 1942, in Kipiri, Angola, is a legendary singer, songwriter, and former elite athlete whose music became emblematic of Angola’s independence struggle. Raised near Luanda during Portuguese colonial rule, he began singing as a teenager but first gained fame as a 400-meter national champion in Portugal and a professional footballer for S.L. Benfica. Secretly supporting Angola’s liberation movement, he delivered messages for activists before fleeing into exile in 1972. In Europe, he fully embraced music, blending traditional Angolan semba with Lusophone influences. His debut album, Angola 72, included the iconic “Mona Ki Ngi Xica.” Over a 50-year career, Bonga has released over 30 albums, including Raízes, Mulemba Xangola, Kualuka Kuetu, Hora Kota, and Kintal da Banda, earning numerous awards and international recognition as a cultural ambassador.
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Record Label associated with Bonga - past and current.