José Afonso, often fondly referred to as Zeca Afonso, was one of the foremost Portuguese folk and political musicians of the 20th century, whose work played a vital role in the Carnation Revolution that led to the fall of the Estado Novo regime in Portugal. Born on February 2, 1929, in Aveiro, Portugal, José Afonso's music career spanned several decades, during which he became a symbol of resistance against dictatorship through his poignant and stirring compositions.

Afonso's music is characterized by its deeply emotional tone and its rootedness in the struggles of the Portuguese people. His politically charged songs, which combine traditional Portuguese music with social commentary, earned him both government scrutiny and widespread influence among the opposition. His song "Grândola, Vila Morena" became an emblematic anthem of the 1974 Carnation Revolution. Throughout his albums, such as "Fura Fura" and "Enquanto Há Força," he continued to voice the sentiments of his fellow citizens with evocative lyrics and melodies. José Afonso passed away on February 23, 1987, but his legacy as a musician and advocate for freedom and democracy remains alive in Portugal and beyond.

Genres

Musica De Intervencao

Portuguese Folk

Related Artists

Caetano Veloso

João Gilberto

Gilberto Gil

Maria Bethânia

Chico Buarque

Milton Nascimento

Elis Regina

Gal Costa

Os Mutantes

Latest Release

Amor de Estudante

José Afonso

Single - Released September 13, 2024