Os Tubarões was a Cape Verdean traditional music band who, along with Bulimundo, Finaçon and Simentera, were among the most famous music bands in Cape Verde. The band name is Portuguese for "the sharks" which are common in the waters surrounding the archipelago.
History
The band was founded in 1969 in
Praia
Praia (, Portuguese for "beach") is the capital and largest city of Cape Verde.funaná, tabanka, morna and coladeira. They were founded after the country became independent and the time when the country became democratic. The most famous member was Ildo Lobo, a vocalist. Their songs often had political themes that align with leftist politics. The most obvious of these is ''Ask Xanana'', which is a reference to the Timorese revolutionary
Xanana Gusmão
José Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmão (; born 20 June 1946) is an East Timorese politician. He has served as the 6th prime minister of East Timor since 2023, previously serving in that position from 2007 to 2015. A former rebel, he also served as E ...
. The song is an anti-colonial song that specifically calls attention to the
Indonesian invasion of East Timor
The Indonesian invasion of East Timor, known in Indonesia as Operation Lotus (), began on 7 December 1975 when the Indonesian military (ABRI/TNI) invaded East Timor under the pretext of anti-colonialism and anti-communism to overthrow the Fre ...
, but also speaks about neo-colonial actions by the United States in Panama, among others.
Their first album released was ''Pepe Lopi'', their third album was ''Djonsinho Cabral'' released in 1979 featuring "Biografia d'um criol", first written by the great
Manuel de Novas
Manuel d' Novas (February 24, 1938 — September 28, 2009) was a Cape Verdean poet and composer.
Biography
Manuel Jesus Lopes was born in Penha da França, one of the neighbourhoods of Ribeira Grande on the island of Santo Antão, he became one ...
, in 1980, they released ''Tabanca'' featuring tabanka singles, one of them was a single also named "Tabanca", they released a homonymous album in 1990, a live album was released in 1993, their final album was ''Porton d’ nôs ilha'', released in 1994. Their last performance was at an event in homage to Zeca in mid 1994 when Lisbon was the cultural capital of Europe. The band broke up in 1994.
After the band broke up, Ildo Lobo continued his career until his death in 2004. Ildo Lobo along with the band were honored in 2012
In 2015, several different singers sang some songs related to the band at the Lisbon Music Festival on May 5."Festival em Lisboa celebra e reflecte o pós-colonialismo" Festival in Lisbon Celebrates and Reflects on Post-Colonialism" Público. 5 May 2015, accessed on 12 May 2015
Discography
* 1976 - ''Pepe Lopi''
* 1976 - ''Tchon di Morgado''
* 1979 - ''Djonsinho Cabral''
**“Biografia d’ um criol’”, originally from
Manuel de Novas
Manuel d' Novas (February 24, 1938 — September 28, 2009) was a Cape Verdean poet and composer.
Biography
Manuel Jesus Lopes was born in Penha da França, one of the neighbourhoods of Ribeira Grande on the island of Santo Antão, he became one ...
* 1980 - ''Tabanca''
** "Tabanca" - single
* 1982 - ''Tema para dois'' (A Song for Two)
** "Tema para dois" - single
* 1990 - ''Os Tubarões''
* 1990 - ''Bote, broce e linha''
**"Li qu’ ê nha tchon”
* 1993 - ''Os Tubarões ao vivo'' (Os Tubarões Live)
* 1994 - ''Porton d’ nôs ilha'' (Gate to Our Island)