MASSUKOS

Mozambique's Afro-pop sensation Massukos gained international recognition not only for their music, but their humanitarian efforts as well. Group leader Feliciano dos Santos grew up in a slum lacking clean water and proper sanitation. Suffering from polio as a result, dos Santos was inspired to use his music and influence to effect change, hopefully preventing others from enduring similar struggles. Simultaneously forming the group Massukos and his own NGO called Estamos, dos Santos began to bring the world's attention to the water and sanitation crisis faces by his people in the early '90s. Massukos first performed publicly in 1994, touring internationally only four years later. The band's debut disc, Kuimba Kwa Massuko, was recorded in 2001. The album made Massukos a Mozambique national favorite, as it was voted "best album" in 2002, going gold by 2003. Massukos was soon invited to perform at international fundraisers and conferences like the Third World Water Forum in 2004 and the British conference WaterAid. The band toured and performed throughout the U.K., entertaining huge audiences at events like the Make Poverty History rally and the BBC's Africa Live at the British Museum. Massukos' second CD, Bumping, was released in 2007 to positive reviews and a strong presence on world music charts. The record, released by Poo Productions, spent two months in World Music Charts Europe's Top Ten.