Reviving Heritage: Carmen Souza's Musical Journey Inspired by Cape Verde's British Legacy

Carmen Souza's new album, "Port'Inglês," reflects her family's connections to Cape Verde's British past. By weaving jazz and traditional rhythms, Souza revives cultural narratives and pays homage to her heritage through music.

Carmen Souza, a renowned Cape Verdean musician, was often playfully urged by her family to "ariope" as a child, a word she later discovered was derived from British English. Reflecting on how much English has influenced her native Creole, Souza, now a celebrated jazz singer-songwriter, explores this rich history in her new album, "Port'Inglês." This collection includes eight songs intimately intertwined with the legacy of British presence in Cape Verde, delving into historical narratives that few are aware of.

Souza's childhood years involved waiting for her turn to perform in church choirs or prepare for school, where she was frequently reminded to “hurry up.” These experiences made her curious about the musical impact stemming from British maritime history, which she began to uncover while pursuing her master’s degree. She found a connection to the past through her music, combining jazz and Cape Verdean rhythms, including funaná and batuque, with English sea shanties.

The Cape Verdean islands, located about 500km from West Africa, have historically been a significant stopover for sailors and traders, shaping their culture through centuries of colonial influence. The British established a vibrant coaling station in São Vicente, drawing on local resources while contributing to the island's development. This historical backdrop became personal for Souza as she discovered ties to her family—her grandfather had worked in Mindelo's port, loading coal onto ships, and was known for his storytelling through fiddle playing.

The track "Ariope" emerged from her connection to her grandfather, illustrating the dynamic between tradition and the urgency of progress. With a diaspora of around 700,000 Cape Verdeans scattered globally, Souza aims to breathe new life into local music by bridging the past with contemporary sounds.

Historically, Cape Verdean music is characterized by its variety, including the fragrant morna celebrated by the late Cesária Évora. Souza draws inspiration from influential figures like Francisco Beleza, who transcended traditional genres. She aims to resonate with the younger generation—infusing her work with improvisation and different musical elements while ensuring traditional styles don’t fade into obscurity.

With a nod to early observations from British naturalist Charles Darwin, who noted the vibrant energy of local singers, Souza embraces the roots of her heritage in "Port'Inglês." The album encourages new interpretations of classic rhythms, fostering a creolization process that champions the evolution of Cape Verde's musical landscape. The album is set to inspire a revival of traditional genres for younger musicians, paving the way for innovative cultural expressions across generations.