José Adelino Barceló de Carvalho (Bonga)

Nickname	Bonga
Full name	José Adelino Barceló de Carvalho
Date of birth	1942
Country	Angola

Born in Kipiri, Angola, in 1942, José Adelino Barceló de Carvalho, widely known as Bonga, is a key figure in Angolan music. Before making a name for himself on stage, he was a champion track athlete in Portugal. Forced into exile in Europe for opposing Portuguese colonial rule, he poured his focus into music and recorded his famous 1972 album Angola 72, which featured classic songs like "Mona Ki Ngi Xica". Known for his gravelly voice and direct lyrics about freedom and struggle, Bonga spent decades introducing traditional rhythms like Semba to audiences around the world while celebrating his home country's rich culture.