Neuza‘s own story could be one of the emotional tales that she tells in her songs. Her mother was a local singer in Cabo Verde who died of cancer when Neuza was a little girl. For years, she found music too painful a reminder of this tragedy, so she put it aside and focused on her education, work and family. One day, restaurant co-workers heard her singing while she set the tables and insisted that she share her voice with customers. Soon, she was discovered by José da Silva, producer of the late Cesaria Evora (Cabo Verde’s most famous musical export), who signed Neuza and released her popular 2014 debut, Flor di Bila.

Although Neuza covers many of the haunting mornas identified with Cesaria Evora, her specialty are the soaring sounds of talaia baxo and rabolo, which are native to the volcanic island of Fogo where her family originated. She also has recorded curcutiçans, the fierce & witty lyrical battles between men and women. Neuza’s facial expressions translate most of the songs she sings; pieces that sometimes are playful, but mostly about those who struggle with adversity, and end up overcoming it due to their inner strength.

With two-thirds of Cabo Verdeans living in the diaspora, immigration is a common theme in Neuza’s songs. Now, she is living that life herself, as she has moved to Massachusetts, USA to join her husband.