Derito
Musician & Composer
My Music
Semba
Africa is a continent filled with many different rich cultures and styles of music, but I gravitated to the styles that are more prominent in my birth country of Angola, such as Kilapanga, Rumba, Cumbia, Merengue, and our most well-known, Semba.
AfroJazz
AfroJazz is a fusion between the African style of music and Jazz. This was a natural progression for me even from my original style, as I began adding Jazz chords and elements to my songs. The complexity of Jazz brought another flavour to my work, and revealed new possibilities
AfroBossa
AfroBossa is a fusion between Bossa Nova and African music. Bossa Nova is a child of Samba, a Brazilian style that has its roots in Africa, roots taken to Brazil during the slave trade. I created this style with the aim of bringing those roots back to Brazilian music.
Learn MoreMy Journey
Who am I
My name is Helder Tavares, better known as "Derito". I am an Angolan song writer and composer who aims to expose the Angolan music past its borders and show people the quality of our roots. Its been 39 years (1985) and i hope to continue for much longer.
Early Days
I was born and raised in Benguela, Angola in August 1966. I migrated to Portugal in 1982 due to the ongoing war in Angola and was forced to adapt quickly in order to survive on my own. I eventually made a small band and started playing in bars (in 1985), alongside university. I managed to finish my course, but decided to pursue my new found passion as a full-time musician
My Career
I am the author of 4 albums between 1995 and 2016. In 2006 I was Angola's representative in the football World Cup in Germany. In 2007 I composed the Anthem for the African Basketball Championship. In 2010 I was nominated the Ambassador for the Football African Cup of Nations and I composed 2 tracks for the competition.
Whom I've Met
Manu Dibango
Manu Dibango
One of the greatest saxophonists in the world, Manu featured on one track on my 3rd album.
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
A master of the trumpet, the great Hugh featured on 2 tracks in my 3rd album
Jacob Desvarieux
Jacob Desvarieux
The legend of Kassav', he featured on 2 songs on my 3rd album, and produced my entire 4th album.
Jean C. Naimro
Jean C. Naimro
A magician on the keyboard, Jean from Kassav featured on 4 tracks on my 4th album
Georges Decimus
Georges Decimus
Known for his world class groove on the bass, Georges from Kassav featured on 4 tracks on my 4th album
Paulo Calasans
Paulo Calasans
A master on the piano, the great Paulo featured on 2 tracks on my 3rd album.
Yura Silva
Yura Silva
One of the greatest voices in the PALOP community, Yura featured on one track on my 4th album.
Simmons Massini
Simmons Massini
A multi-talented world-class artist, he produced 3 tracks on my 3rd album
Pedro Joia
Pedro Joia
A portuguese legend on the guitar, Pedro featured on 1 track on my 3rd album
Manu Dibango
One of the greatest saxophonists in the world, Manu featured on one track on my 3rd album.
Hugh Masekela
A master of the trumpet, the great Hugh featured on 2 tracks in my 3rd album
Jacob Desvarieux
The legend of Kassav', he featured on 2 songs on my 3rd album, and produced my entire 4th album.
Jean C. Naimro
A magician on the keyboard, Jean from Kassav featured on 4 tracks on my 4th album
Georges Decimus
Known for his world class groove on the bass, Georges from Kassav featured on 4 tracks on my 4th album
Paulo Calasans
A master on the piano, the great Paulo featured on 2 tracks on my 3rd album.
Yura Silva
One of the greatest voices in the PALOP community, Yura featured on one track on my 4th album.
Simmons Massini
A multi-talented world-class artist, he produced 3 tracks on my 3rd album
Pedro Joia
A portuguese legend on the guitar, Pedro featured on 1 track on my 3rd album