I am Emy Benros and I am 16 years old. I was born in Mindelo (Cape Verde) and I can’t imagine a life without music. There are several musicians in my family and, although they have not dedicated themselves to music professionally, I have learned a lot from them.

 I have never studied music; I practically learned on my own. I started singing at the age of two and at nine I started playing the violin. I took lessons for a few months, but then I stopped and since then I have practised alone at home. A year later I started playing the guitar and now I am learning to play the piano. Sometimes I have thought about training musically outside of Cape Verde, but at the moment I still don’t know if I want to leave or continue here.

I am in the tenth year of secondary school. Unfortunately, in my school there is no artistic area, which is what I would like, so I opted for the humanities area, which gives me the opportunity to study language, history, literature or languages, which I also like. I speak Portuguese, Creole and English and I have to learn Spanish. When I finish secondary school, I would like to enrol in Communications, but not to become a journalist, but a digital influencer.

I have eight siblings: three sisters and three brothers on my father’s side and two brothers on my mother’s side. My father, who passed away in 2019, was very passionate about music. When I was little and he took me to school, we always had music in the car. If he were here, I’m sure he would support me.

On February 1, 2025, I held my first official performance at the Mindelo Cultural Centre. I usually sing in restaurants and events, but this was the first concert where I performed my compositions. I write and compose my own music, although I haven’t recorded an album yet. I need time to get inspired and write more before doing so.

My compositions are born from love stories or dreams I have. I really like writing about my dreams, my way of being or ideas or words that have remained in my head while I was playing with my father. I haven’t written a song in Creole yet because I haven’t been inspired to do so and I don’t want to force myself.

I’m inspired by artists like Sara Tavares or Mayra Andrade. Cesaria Évora? She was a great artist. Foreigners here always ask you about her. She is very well known and, for me, she is the greatest singer we have had in Cape Verde. Everyone knows her music. She is a source of inspiration. I sing barefoot on stage, like her. My city, Mindelo, is known as the Island of Culture. It is a place where the greatest artistic talents are found. By singing music from my country and other countries, I can help my country economically and contribute to promoting Cape Verdean and African culture.

There are many Cape Verdeans abroad and I think about it, but I have to finish school, give myself time, organize my life and then travel. In other countries there are more opportunities for work, not only for inspiration or meeting other artists, but my country will always be my country. I really like living in my country and being on the beach, especially São Pedro beach, here in Mindelo. I love the ocean. (Illustration: Francis Marín)