Joao Afonso

The Profile

João Afonso is a Mozambique-born Portuguese singer-songwriter. He is the nephew of José Afonso and released his first solo work, Missangas, in 1997.

Born in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), lived his first thirteen years there; nephew of José Afonso (Zeca Afonso); debut solo album Missangas released in 1997; music influenced by African sounds and performed often with acoustic guitar.

The single DeBaser review (Onirico) reads Missangas as a nostalgic, Africa-infused singer-songwriter record. It highlights João Afonso's Mozambique roots, his acoustic-guitar intimacy, and tracks such as 'Carteiro em Bicicleta', 'Na Machamba' and 'Fugir Com O Cientista'. The reviewer frames the album as a vehicle for remembering childhood authenticity.