Dino d’ Santiago
Dino d' Santiago is a Portuguese singer of Cape Verdean descent, a champion of Lisbon's new wave of Afro-electronic sounds, and a mainstay in Portugal's hip-hop and R&B scenes. Inspired by his roots in Santiago, Dino blends traditional Cape Verdean music with new genres to create what is recognizable today as his signature sound, which can be heard on his albums.
📷 Daryan Dornelles
International media such as Rolling Stone, Complex, and Folha de S. Paulo praised him as one of the most creative artists in the Lisbon music scene. Dino was awarded Best Local Artist, Best Album and Critics' Choice at Portugal's Play Awards in 2019 and Best Male Artist, Best Album and Critic's Choice in 2021 with the album 'KRIOLA' (Sony Music Portugal 2020).
📷 Arde Lume
In 2021 Dino started a new journey as a father of little Lucas, and with this inspiration, even the pandemic couldn't hold back an artist who lives to record. His fourth album, 'Badiu,' is an ode to his new life as a parent and a brilliant complement to its predecessor 'Kriola.' It is a community music project with many borders but no limits. This album wrapped in Batuku, cathartic, raw, and black, helps Cape Verde's new generation to reconcile and learn to claim their African heritage. Dino d'Santiago has made a vibrant collection of stories from the Creole nation that has the Atlantic at its heart and music as the only haven for joy.
📷 Daryan Dornelles
His music melds styles from across the Portuguese-speaking world, with a focus on countries around Africa. “Mozambique, Cape Verde, Angola, Brazil, Guinea, São Tomé: each country had its own sound,” explains d’Santiago. “Now we finally are combining those and transforming it into one unique sound.” His nomination for the MTV award in the Portuguese category has added attention to his talent.
