Luiana Abrantes (Angola / Portugal)

Luiana Abrantes is a Luso-Angolan singer-songwriter born in Luanda, Angola, with ancestral roots tied to Lubango, an area in the country’s south. Raised in the post-civil war period, she witnessed both the hardships faced by abandoned children and the joy of Angola’s festas de quintal—backyard gatherings filled with music and dance. At age five, she was separated from her mother, an event that had a profound emotional impact. Music became her refuge, a way to cope with sadness and channel her feelings through melodies she created while playing alone. Over time, songwriting evolved into a conscious form of expression, allowing her to explore personal and social themes. In Lisbon, she met Theo Pascal, a pioneer and acclaimed producer well known for his work with Lusophone artists, who has been helping her shape her sound at his studio, Thisissessions, a vibrant hub for discovering and developing talent from the Palop. Luiana also pursued fashion design, launching the TrulyAfro brand, which blends African fabrics with European styles and emphasizes sustainability through slow fashion principles.

Featured Song:

“Enamorada” (In Love) tells the story of a playful and unexpected romantic encounter. Accompanied by cavaquinho, congas and drums, the lyrics recount a moment of flirtation and emotional surrender: “Your sly glance tried to catch mine / Left hand here / Right hand there / And that’s how you gave me the first hug.” Though the narrator initially resists—“I tried to escape / But I couldn’t run away”—she eventually gives in to the feeling.

Artist Website

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