Vocals

Idalina Lopes

Idalina Lopes is my mother. She was born and grew up on the island of São Nicolau, in Cabo Verde — in a home where songs were carried by heart, sung on long walks, hummed whenever a feeling needed a voice. Years later the family moved to Sal. The songs gathered here are ones we’ve made together: her voice carrying them, my music beneath — the Creole thread that runs quietly through everything I do.

Morna · Single

Slow Slow Fatima

Espargos Sun Mix

An old morna from Cabo Verde, carried for decades in memory before it was ever given music. In the 1970s, on the island of Sal, a young Idalina walked with her sisters to fetch well water, and to pass the time they sang — “Slow Slow Fatima” was one of those songs. A morna of unknown origin, passed down and hummed whenever sadness needed a voice; one she still returns to today.

Decades later, I sat down and finally composed the music her lyrics had always been waiting for. The “Espargos Sun Mix” is named after Espargos, the town where I was born — and “Sun” for the son who finally wrote it down.

The video is built from short clips and family photographs from visits to Sal — no actors, no staging. Just the places and faces behind the music.

Slow Slow Fatima
Iça bandeira pa no ba pa nos terra
Quando um chega na Tarrafal
Um prugunta pa Manalinho
Manalinho ta na Bor Branco

Traditional Cabo Verdean Creole · Lyrics: unknown · Vocals: Idalina Lopes · Music: Gudu Lopes

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music
From Door of Sleep

Sleep Tight (Nha Menino)

A Cape Verdean lullaby I wrote and composed, sung as a duet with my mother — and my son’s cooing, recorded sixteen years ago, woven into the track. Three generations in one song.

Hear it on Door of Sleep →