Disco Diaspora ★ Cabo Verde ★ MF Andrade
Saturday 25.04.26 @ Mezrab

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Join us on the dancefloor for the upcoming Disco Diaspora: Cabo Verde, curated by MF
Andrade, a Rotterdam-based artist with roots in Cabo Verde who embodies this in-between
cultural space.

The connection between Cabo Verde and Rotterdam runs deep, shaped by decades of
migration, music, and community. For many Cabo Verdeans in the diaspora, Rotterdam
became a second home, a port where island rhythms met the pulse of a European
metropolis. That cultural bridge also lives in the record industry. Labels like Morabeza
Records played a crucial role in bringing Cabo Verdean music to Europe. As the first record
label of Cabo Verde, it pressed and distributed records that travelled through diasporic
networks and independent record shops.

In many ways, these records were a form of resistance, preserving language, stories, and
musical traditions during times of political struggle and migration, keeping the spirit of the
islands alive far from home. They moved quietly across borders in suitcases, resurfaced at
family gatherings, and filled dance floors where generations continue to meet.

Alongside this musical evolution, videoclip culture has become an increasingly vital
extension of Cabo Verdean expression. Music videos act as visual postcards of both the
islands and the diaspora, blending street life, coastal landscapes, and fashion with narratives
of migration, love, and resilience. Often produced with limited resources but abundant
creativity, these videos circulate widely via platforms like YouTube and social media,
allowing artists to bypass traditional industry structures and reach audiences across
continents. In this space, authenticity outweighs polish. Neighborhoods, local dance styles,
and community presence take center stage. Videoclips mirror the same transnational
movement as the music itself, shot between Praia, Mindelo, Lisbon, Rotterdam, and
beyond, reinforcing a shared cultural identity that exists across borders.

MF Andrade taps into this layered heritage through sound. His sets move fluidly between
Cabo Verdean classics and overlooked gems, from the raw, driving energy of funaná to the
smooth, playful swing of coladeira. Funaná pulses with a rebellious spirit, fast, percussive,
and impossible to stand still to, while coladeira leans into storytelling and groove. Together,
they reflect the richness and evolution of Cabo Verdean music far beyond the islands.
Growing up between cultures has shaped his perspective and practice. Moving across
disciplines, from painting to DJing and back, he has developed a distinct artistic language.
Today, he finds himself surrounded by a self-built archive of vinyl, co-founding FAROFFA,
programming events, and working as a musical storyteller who connects sounds, histories,
and people

https://www.instagram.com/disco.diaspora/
https://www.instagram.com/mf_andrade_/

★

Doors: 21:30
Tickets: 10 EUR
Limited online student tickets: 7.50 EUR

♫

MUSIC TAGS
#FUNANA
#CABO VERDE
#COLADEIRA
#BATUKO
#ROTTERDAM
#TROPICAL
#VIDS