Angolan singer Bonga received the "Grand Prix des Musiques du Monde" [World Music Grand Prize] last Thursday in Paris, awarded by SACEM [Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers].

The French professional association describes him as a "leading figure in Angolan music" who "gives full meaning to the plural notion of Africanness" and defines him as one of the "African authors-composers who sublimate their roots and fascinate listeners".

The Society of French Authors, Composers and Music Publishers (SACEM) awarded its annual prizes this Thursday night at a ceremony at the Maison de la Radio in Paris. Angolan singer, author and composer Bonga received the "Grand Prix des Musiques du Monde", on a night when British singer-songwriter Harry Styles received the award for best international work with the song "As It Was" and French singer Zaho de Sagazan, author of the album "La Symphonie des Eclairs", was considered "the revelation" of the year.

French musician David Guetta was honored in the electronic music category, the group Gojira received the Rock Grand Prix, rapper Booba won the Urban Music Grand Prix and the Special Prize went to French singer Zazie.

"A leading figure in Angolan music, Bonga gives full meaning to the plural notion of Africanness. From Luanda to Rotterdam, from Paris to Lisbon, and everywhere in between, he is one of the African authors-composers who sublimate their roots and fascinate listeners," summarizes SACEM in the publication listing the winners.

According to RFI, the French professional association is also remembering his career. Born on September 5, 1942, in Kipiri, José Adelino Barceló de Carvalho learned music from his fisherman and accordionist father, who also introduced him to semba, a symbol of Angolan national identity. As a teenager, the singer changed his name to Bonga, affirming his opposition to Portuguese colonization. "From an early age, the artist realized the political and poetic scope of his music. With his rough and powerful voice, he opens a path that expresses the ills of the Angolan people and the liberation aspirations of his generation," writes SACEM.

In 1972, Bonga recorded his first album, "Angola 72", in Rotterdam, a record that quickly became the "soundtrack of the struggle for Angolan independence", particularly with the theme "Mona Ki Ngi Xica". His career continued in Paris, where Bonga recorded his second album, "Angola 74". After the fall of the Portuguese dictatorship and the recognition of Angola's independence, Bonga returned to live between Luanda and Lisbon.

In 2000, the artist sang of national reconciliation and the end of the Angolan conflict with the song "Mulemba Xangola". The albums "Kaxexe" (2003), "Maiorais" (2005) and "Bairro" (2008) continue to write "the legend of a singer in perpetual motion", reads the SACEM description, quoted by RFI.

SACEM also points out that today Bonga is being taken up by various authors and composers, such as Bernard Lavilliers who interprets "Mona Ki Ngi Xica" in French, while musicians Gaël Faye and Lexxus Legal point to him as a model, and Portuguese singer Ana Moura called on him for a tribute to Amália Rodrigues.

"Bypassing geographical and musical boundaries, with a song and compositions that speak to many people, Bonga is the voice of a modern and peaceful Angola," concludes SACEM.