Massukos Downloads

Massukos are superstars in their native country of Mozambique. Massukos have been hailed as “the next Buena Vista Social Club”. They have sold more than 80,000 copies of their first album and their sensational new album Bumping - featuring jazz legends Harry Beckett and Steve Buckley -... Learn More »

Massukos are superstars in their native country of Mozambique. Massukos have been hailed as “the next Buena Vista Social Club”. They have sold more than 80,000 copies of their first album and their sensational new album Bumping - featuring jazz legends Harry Beckett and Steve Buckley - promises to follow suit.

Massukos have an enviable reputation as the country's most successful band but they are also making their mark as initiators of social change. Originating from Niassa in northern Mozambique, one of the poorest parts of Africa, Massukos speak out against the hardships that have affected their lives. Passionate about what they do, the band travels for miles to remote villages to deliver simple life-saving messages such as “more condoms less partners”. Feliciano dos Santos - the leader of Massukos - is also the director of Estamos, who are involved with the installation of latrines and clean water points, as well as hygiene and HIV/AIDS education.

Massukos and the NGO Estamos were co-founded by Feliciano dos Santos, an inspirational man who has dedicated his life and his music to campaigning for clean water and adequate sanitation. Challenged by polio, Santos endured a gruelling childhood living in a slum with no clean water or proper sanitation. He is determined to tackle these issues so that others do not suffer as he did. Affectionately known by his many fans as 'the Elton John' of Mozambique, Santos believes that “music has the power to change people”; the ground-breaking work he is doing in his homeland is testimony to that belief.
Early Beginnings

Massukos' first live public performance in 1994 coincided with the start of the peace process, following 17 years of civil war. Many of Mozambique's musicians and artists had fled the country during the war and the band wanted to preserve and spread the traditional rhythms of Niassa province that were all but extinct.

The group's reputation grew and their music soon captivated international audiences. They made their first international trip in 1998 to perform at the EXPO 98 in Lisbon, Portugal. Their first CD Kuimba kwa Massuko (recorded in 2001) achieved phenomenal sales and sealed their success. Voted best album in 2002, it won a gold disc in 2003. Later that year they were voted best group in Mozambique and they then went on to win the International Prize for Water at the Cannes Water Symposium. In 2004 they appeared at the Third World Water Forum in Japan and toured with the UK band Empty Boat as part of an event organized by Poo Productions in association with WaterAid UK.
The Year of Africa/UK Tour

The next chapter in Massukos' story was in 2005, the designated "year of Africa" when Poo Productions invited them to join the celebrations in the UK. During their eventful stay, they played before 100,000+ at the Make Poverty History Rally in Edinburgh, recorded their latest album Bumping and performed live on the BBC London 94.9 Charlie Gillett show and on Resonance FM. Other high-profile gigs included BBC Africa Live at the British Museum and UNICEF Children's C8 conference in Dunblane.

Events around the UK at this time were focussing on Africa, in a bid to influence the world leaders at the G8 Conference in Gleneagles. Massukos brought their own pertinent message about the challenges being faced in their own country. The band's founder, Feliciano dos Santos had the opportunity to discuss the hardships of life in Mozambique with Sir Bob Geldof and Gordon Brown MP. He also presented a petition to Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street on behalf of WaterAid to reinforce the UN Millennium Development Goals pertaining to water and sanitation. The film, The Big Shout, currently in post-production, was shot whilst Massukos were on their UK tour.
« Hide Description