Accra to host Cape Verde’s Elida Almeida

Almeida was born in 1993 in Santa Cruz on the Cape Verdean island of Santiago. Bereaved of her father early, she moved away with her mother away from family home. Those days may appear stripped of joy but the future singer coped well with dreams an official release calls “bright and colorful.” The family moved back to Santa Cruz years later, at which point music had become an important part of the young Elida’s life. She wrote her first song in secondary school—a sorrowful tune that defied her circumstance by showing some optimism.

As a professional, Almeida wrote and released her debut album, Ora doci Ora margos (Sweet Times Bitter Times), based on her early life and experiences.

In 2015, Elida Almedia was judged winner of the prestigious RFI Discoveries Award music contest. Held annually since 1981, the RFI Discoveries Award is given to the best in ‘world music’. She won for the songs ‘Nta konsigui’ and ‘Lebam ku bo’ both from Sweet Times Bitter Times. Former winners include include Senegalese rapper Didier Awadi(2003) and Ivorian reggae act Tiken Jah Fakoly.  Others are Marema from Senegal (2014), Burkina Faso’s Smarty (2013), Namibia’s Elemotho (2012) and Guinea’s Sia Tolno (2011).

Opening for Elida is Yaa Yaa, the Ghanaian songstress and winner of the best collaboration award of VGMA 2012. The Accra concert is part of Almeida's African tour which starts 8 April in Togo's capital city Lomé. The Accra concert will take place on Saturday 16 April at Alliance Française Accra at 8pm.

Tickets: 20 GHC ($5) and 10GHC ($3) for Alliance Française students and members. Free for attendees under 16​.