Fifty years after Cape Verde and the other former Portuguese colonies gained independence, Mario Lucio presents ‘Independance’, an album celebrating this momentous change in Portuguese-speaking Africa. Singer, guitarist, composer, poet, writer, thinker, and even former Minister of Culture; Mario Lucio is all of these things and much more to the Cape Verdean people. A fervent advocate of creolization, his work is a sensitive and passionate tribute to the intercultural fusion that has shaped his country’s identity.
2026 also marks the 60th anniversary of the World Festival of Black Arts (Festival Mondial des Arts Nègres), a major milestone in the history of African independence. Born from the vision of poet-president Léopold Sédar Senghor, it celebrates the beauty, power and diversity of African cultures and the
diaspora. For the first edition, in 1966 in Dakar, artists, writers and musicians from Africa, America and Europe gathered to affirm the greatness of black art. Legendary figures such as Aimé Césaire,
Duke Ellington and Josephine Baker lit up the Senegalese stage. Today, the World Festival of Black Arts continues to embody the unity, dignity and strength of black genius. It reminds us that art is a universal language, a link between peoples, and a flame that continues to illuminate Africa’s memory and future.
Mario Lucio & The Pan African Band, with their album ‘Independance’, renew this message. With four African nationalities on stage, rhythms from the continent and the islands, but also with a clear and
militant consciousness.
” While celebrating independence, and in a festive way, Mário Lúcio does not fail to have a lucid
and uncompromising look at African independence processes in general. “
PUBLICO (PT)
“…a festive and danceable album which seduces immediately and totally.”
LE MONDE (FR)
“On July 5, 1975, Cape Verde became the second Portuguese colony in Africa to gain independence. Mario Lucio was 10 years old… So many festive memories can be heard in his seventh solo album, ‘Independance’.”
LE MONDE WEB (FR)
“Fifty years on, the elegant ambassador of Atlantic Creolité celebrates this festive era… lively dance music, a real breath of optimism in these grey times.”
TELERAMA (FR)
“‘Independance’ is a CD-history book that makes you want to shake your hips.”
JAZZ NEWS (FR)
“A melodious, euphoric political ballad
with the heady timbre of harmonies from the Portuguese-speaking archipelago.”
L’HUMANITE (FR)
“with the album ‘Independance’, Mario Lucio continues to preach for a gentle ‘Créolité’…
with graceful musicality backed by lively rhythms.”
TELERAMA SORTIR (FR)
“Another great name in Cape Verdean music, Mario Lucio.”
FRANCE INTER (RADIO FRANCE)
Contacts:
PROMO : SIMON VEYSSIERE
simon@accent-presse.com
+336 70 21 32 83
BOOKING : AOSULDOMUNDO
luis@aosuldomundo.pt
+351 918 120 250
MDC : MAGGIE DOHERTY
maggie.doherty@music-mdc.com
+331 42 01 95 36
