Valete, Sérgio Godinho, Paulo Flores, Maria João and Karyna Gomes are some of the 22 musicians who are giving a show in Lisbon on Thursday as a tribute to Mozambican rapper and activist Azagaia, who has been declared a national hero by the Mozambican people.

The show takes place at Casa Independente in Lisbon, curated by rapper Valete.

"Consecrated a national hero by the Mozambican people and with international repercussions, Edson da Luz leaves a legacy and musical repertoire that deconstructs the post-colonial period and the present of decolonization, transversal to Portugal and all Portuguese-speaking countries," reads the information promoting the event, quoted by Lusa.

"Mano Azagaia", as he was affectionately nicknamed, became famous for his open criticism of governance in Mozambique and for voicing the problems of the population, to such an extent that in 2008 he was even questioned by the Attorney General's Office (PGR).

The rhymes were not broadcast on public radio and television and the deputies of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), in power since independence, pointed to him as an interpreter of the opposition.

The rapper died on March 9, dismaying thousands of fans and especially young people who saw themselves in his messages.

The day after his death, hundreds of people, mainly young people, gathered in Maputo for a vigil.

During the funeral ceremonies for the so-called 'rapper' of the people, which brought together thousands of people in the city of Maputo on March 14, the procession was blocked by armored personnel carriers and heavily armed police at a point along the route that would pass in front of the official residence of the President of the Republic.

There were tense moments and tear gas was even fired to disperse the crowd, which had to take an alternative route.

As a result of this and other initiatives to pay tribute to Azagaia, several people were injured, prompting criticism from national and international organizations of the police repression of demonstrations considered peaceful.