Luis Pereira, known as Stewart Sukuma (born in 1963) is a Mozambican singer. His stage name - Stewart Sukuma - means 'Rise Up' in Zulu and 'Push' in Swahili. He was born in city of Quelimane

Quelimane

Quelimane is a seaport in Mozambique. It is the administrative capital of the Zambezia Province and the province's largest city, and stands 25 km from the mouth of the Rio dos Bons Sinais . The river was named when Vasco da Gama, on his way to India, reached it and saw "good signs" that he was on...

, the capital of Zambezia Province in Mozambique. Coming from a modest family he soon realized his passion for music and in 1977 he moved to the capital Maputo, where he learned how to play percussion, guitar and piano. In 1982 he joined a music group as a vocal. He won the Mozambican prize for music - Ngoma - in 1983 and soon became one of the most played singers in the national radio stations of Mozambique. His major works includes songs as Felisminha, Xitchuketa Marrabenta, Sumanga. He is recognized to sing in different languages like Portuguese, English, Swahili and Schwabo.

Early Life and Career

Born is a small town, he was a son of a truck driver which allowed him and his family to live as a modest family. He received his first guitar as a Christmas gift party for disadvantaged people, being this the launching pad for his professional career.
After independence in 1975, Stewart started as a dancer for some music bands. But he didn't want to be a dancer. When the death of his eldest sister, who had left two children and a house in Maputo behind her, drove him to the capital of Mozambique, in 1977, he learned how to play percussion, the guitar and keyboard and started singing in a band in 1982.

In 1983 he recorded a song for the national radio station - Radio Mocambique - and in the same year he was awarded with the national prize for the best up-coming artist. His songs became soon played in the radio, and he became the 'singer of the people'. He eventually worked with the famous band Orchestra Marrabenta Star. Later he moved to South Africa where he released his album - Afrikiti, release only in 1995.

In 1998, Sukuma moves to Boston

Boston

Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...

, Massachusetts

Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

 where he attends Berklee College of Music

Berklee College of Music

Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...

 being the first Mozambican to ever attend that institution.

He performed at Houston International Festival

Houston International Festival

Houston International Festival also known as iFest, is a contemporary, multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural arts and music festival held annually in Houston, Texas. This North American festival takes place every April on in downtown Houston's parks and plazas...

, Texas in 1999 with other African artists such as Angellique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo

Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, commonly known as Angélique Kidjo is a Grammy Award–winning Beninoise singer-songwriter and activist, noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva". The BBC has...

, Abdullah Ibrahim

Abdullah Ibrahim

Abdullah Ibrahim , born Adolph Johannes Brand, 9 October 1934 in Cape Town, South Africa, and formerly known as Dollar Brand, is a South African pianist and composer...

, Oumou Sangare

Oumou Sangaré

Oumou Sangare is a Malian Wassoulou musician, sometimes referred to as "The Songbird of Wassoulou." Wassoulou is a historic region south of the Niger River, and the music there is descended from traditional hunting songs, and is accompanied by a calabash...

 e Hugh Masekela

Hugh Masekela

Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...

.

Singles

• Olumwengo (with special participation Roger and Sheila) - 2009
• Wulombe (with special participation of Elizah)
• Felisminha
• Xitchuketa Marrabenta - #MOAMA Best Alternative winner

Sources

Sukuma

Mbila

Som Africa