Singer, songwriter, composer, performer, and sometimes actress, Selma Uamusse was born in 1981 in Maputo, Mozambique, and has been based in Portugal since 1988. She is a Mozambican immigrant woman who left behind an engineering education to fully immerse herself in music in its various forms, in the country she chose to embrace - Portugal.
Vocal about social issues that disturb her, Selma is a woman driven by faith and compassion for others, viewing society as a whole, like a global village that becomes unsettled when one part is not functioning well. It is here that she finds inspiration for the songs of this ordinary citizen who chose music as a vehicle for social transformation.
The energy she brings to live performances, through powerful dances, a strong and well-projected voice, or the glances and embraces she often shares, a reflection of the lyrics that accompany her songs, which are often sung in Mozambican languages such as Changana, Chope, and Macua. She consistently seeks to incorporate Mozambican polyrhythms and polyphonies into her songs, using traditional Mozambican instruments.
Her debut album ‘’Mati’’, meaning ‘water’ in Changana (one of the three most spoken languages in Mozambique), was released in 2018 by Ao Sul do Mundo and distributed by Sony Music. Produced by the talented Jori Collignon (of Skip & Die), the album was widely praised by national critics and presented on prestigious national and international stages, as part of a tour with over 60 concerts around the world, including in Portugal, France, Mozambique, Brazil, Poland, Spain, the USA, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic.
Her most recent album ‘’Liwoningo’’, which means ‘light’ in Chope, was launched in 2020 and produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Guilherme Kastrup, recognized for albums such as ‘’A Mulher do Fim’’ do Mundo’’ and ‘’Deus é Mulher’’ by the acclaimed Elza Soares. This album emphasizes African cultural heritage, particularly that of Mozambique. The African identity that continues to inspire her lyrics and melodies blends with global influences, ranging from traditional folklore to electronic, rock, afrobeat, and experimental elements, always maintaining the power of rhythm, language, or African sounds as a common thread, while also opening space for influences from Portuguese and Brazilian music. ‘’Liwoningo’’ features incredible collaborations with Brazilian band Bixiga 70, Mozambican artists such as Chenny Wa Gune, Milton Guli, and Lenna Bahule, and Gambian Kora player Mbye Ebrima.
Selma Uamusse's musical training includes the Hot Clube de Portugal, a renowned jazz school where she still occasionally performs in an orchestral format. It was at this school that Selma launched her personal projects, Souldivers and Selma Uamusse Nu Jazz Ensemble and tribute to Nina Simone, where she collaborated with Ana Bacalhau, Rita Redshoes, Marcia, The Legendary Tigerman, Luisa Sobral, Elisa Rodrigues, Gospel Collective, among others. She has also participated in the albums and performances of several artists, including Samuel Úria, Maria João Pires, composer Rodrigo Leão, musician Moullinex, Medeiros/Lucas, You Can't Win Charlie Brown, Joana Barra Vaz, Orquestra Todos, among others.
Selma Uamusse's powerful vocal instrument and exceptional performance skills have led her to shine across various musical genres, from projects such as WrayGunn, Cacique'97, Gospel Collective, and Rodrigo Leão. Her versatility is also recognized in theater, film, and visual arts.
PRESS
“As «special» and «unique», the attribute «magical» will be one of those that we least use when we want to praise someone's work or character. For Selma Uamusse, however, it fits like a glove, never like hyperbole."
Lia Pereira in Blitz
"Selma besides being a very beautiful woman, 'owner' of a great presence on stage and with great power of communication, brought us the strength and warmth of Africa. (...) The public was not indifferent to the depth of her voice."
M. João Oliveira in A Notícia
"One of the great talents of Mozambican art.”
José dos Remédios in O País
“Mati, the debut album by the Mozambican singer based in Portugal, crosses several sonorities that define her identity, such as African music, gospel, soul and funk, dominated by the expressiveness of the singer and her fusion spirit”.
Pedro Salgado in Sábado Magazine
“Excellent singer and performer, Selma has in Mati the reflection of all her worlds: gospel, the music fusion and the Mozambican soul. Energetic but also contemplative”.
Nuno Pacheco in Público Newspaper
“After all, it was increasingly inconceivable that one of the best voices of Portuguese music did not yet have a record in its own name”. Miguel Judas in Visão Magazine