TONS OF PLEASURES
…from the island of Príncipe to the world!
Singer, composer, performer and guitarist.
Born on Príncipe Island in May 1963
Having spent his childhood between São Tomé and Príncipe and Angola.
Coming from a family where music was always present
At the age of 16 he began his musical career singing and playing (guitar) in the youth group “Canucos das Ilhas Verdes”, with Kalú Mendes and Vizinho, under the guidance of maestro Felício Mendes.
In 1984 he came to Lisbon to study Civil Engineering at the Instituto Superior Técnico, a course he did not complete, as music spoke louder…
In 1990, he began his solo career, participating in a major show at Aula Magna – Lisbon, alongside Rui Veloso and Mariza, with the Dêxa Project.
He has participated in several musical projects with various Portuguese-speaking artists and has also represented his country in several concerts in Portugal and abroad.
His achievements include several participations representing his country in festivals: Cantos na Maré in Fortaleza – Brazil (September 2009)
Among his original works, the themes stand out: Sant City and Fia Ibiba (dexa style) which define his musical profile and the project he has developed to promote and disseminate São Tomé music.
Our language, our music – Brazil (April 2010), City of London Festival – London (June 2010)
Lusophony Concert – Assembly of the Portuguese Republic Lisbon (April 2015)
African Day China Taiwan (May 2015); CPLP Music Festival – East Timor (July 2015); Macau Lusophony Festival (Oct 2016) Sea Festivals (Aug 2018) – Cascais Bay, among others.
Concert in Libreville- Gabon, with the participation of the São Tomé singer “Gapa”, April 2019.
Author of the poem “Different Worlds, All the Same,” which gives voice to the problems of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, with music by Mingo Rangel and Paulo de Carvalho.
After 25 years of career, Tonecas Prazeres released in 2015 his latest record “Tonecas Prazeres & Afro Vungo Project”, embracing the challenge of bringing to the present day the ethnic music of São Tomé and Príncipe (socopé, ússua, dexa, bula-uê, puita and rumba) with other musical influences that he had throughout his career, such as jazz, reggae, salsa, blues among others; as well as the reissue of songs by great composers of the São Tomé repertoire of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
The album featured special appearances by Luís Represas on the song “Voar Para Ti” (a poem by journalist and broadcaster João Pedro Martins), Don Kikas on the song “Lobito”, saxophonist Otis, singer and guitarist Filipe Santo, and musician and co-producer Costa Neto.
