Bonga
- Type: Musician
- Country: Angola
- Born: September 5, 1942 in Kipiri, Bengo, Angola
- Active: 1942 - Present
Biography
Bonga is an iconic Angolan singer and songwriter, celebrated for his husky voice and his role in popularizing semba music. Born Jos茅 Adelino Barcel贸 de Carvalho, he was a champion athlete who used his freedom of movement to support Angola's independence movement. This activism forced him into exile, where he recorded his seminal debut album, 'Angola 72', on the #Morabeza# label. A soundtrack for the nation's struggle, the album's pro-independence lyrics made him a fugitive from Portugal's secret police. With a career spanning over 30 albums for labels like #Lusafrica#, Bonga's music blends Angolan folk, kizomba, and Portuguese sounds, cementing his legacy as a voice of conscience for his homeland.