Pongo

Heralded as the new diva of Kuduro, a dance music genre that emerged from the civil unrest in Angola in the ’80s, singer-dancer Pongo is breaking down musical barriers. Connecting Kuduro to Afrobeat, funk to dancehall, she aims to make music that feels intimate but also shares a universal
message, inviting listeners to escape any feelings of sadness and despair. Born in Angola in 1992, Pongo and her family fled the civil war and moved to Lisbon, Portugal, where she later joined a kuduro band. Her 2009 release of the song Kalemba (Wegue Wegue) with Buraka Som Sistema, garnered millions of plays across the world. She has performed at festivals such as Dour in Belgium, MaMa in Paris, and at the Fête de la Musique at the Élysée Palace. In 2020 Pongo won the Music Moves Europe Talent Award.

Artist Workshop

Delve into the vibrant world of Kuduro, a fusion of electronic beats and traditional Angolan rhythms. Influenced by Sungura and rap, this energetic dance form originated in Angola in the 1990s and continues to captivate dancefloors worldwide today. Join Pongo and dancers Aleksandra and Mariana for an immersive experience where you can learn this unusual dance style, and most importantly, have fun!