About
Elida Almeida “celebrates the modern appeal of her archipelago’s folklore, which she brings to life and embodies with a playful sensuality,” (Télérama, 2023). Winner of the 2015 Prix Découverte RFI, she is definitely turned towards the limelight. With heartfelt sincerity, she conjures up images of Cape Verdean life, bringing her country’s spirit alive with fiery and festive funaná, batuque and tabanka rhythms, which she reimagines with urban flair, while preserving their roots. Also a member of the Cesária Évora Orchestra, Elida upholds the legacy of the “barefoot diva,” even if she does not quite share the melancholy. Her new album, Spedju, intimate and introspective, places her voice firmly in the great Cape Verdean tradition.
