Music Mix: Mayra Andrade

by Kiffe Coco.


I fell upon the lovely sounds from this Cape Verdean chanteuse a few days ago and I immediately fell in love with her music. Mayra Andrade, at 26, is based in Paris, but has already lived quite the international life, being born in Cuba and spending several years of her youth living in Senegal and Angola. These influences of Europe, Africa and Cuba are sprinkled throughout her music. One can maybe find in Mayra's voice hints of soul similar to Cape Verdean legend Cesaria Evora, with a dash of Sara Tavares' earthy, yet velvety vocals. But quite honestly, Mayra's music remains a mixture of who she is and her story.