IN CONVERSATION WITH MÁRCIA

Márcia was one of the queens of the zouk music genre in Europe, with songs that reached millions of streams on various platforms. After stepping away from the spotlight in the last few years, she will be returning to the stage in 2025, both in Portugal and across Europe.

You were one of the queens of the zouk music genre in Europe during the early 2000s. What initially drew you to zouk, and how did it feel to reach such incredible heights in your career?

Growing up as a Cape-Verdean in Germany, I had limited exposure to Zouk since the francophone diaspora wasn’t well represented there. My early musical influences were rooted in R&B, Soul, Neo-Soul, and the occasional Cape-Verdean songs I could find. It wasn’t until a trip to Cape Verde in the early 2000s that I truly discovered Zouk. Nichols’ music, with songs like ‘Je T’aime Si Fort’ and ‘Kerinha’, immediately captivated me with its sensual rhythms and emotive melodies.

By then, I was already pursuing music, though my first German R&B album had been shelved due to the label overextending themselves. In 2005, I met Nichols at his Hamburg concert. What started as a casual conversation turned into a defining moment when he invited me on stage to sing. He loved my performance and expressed interest in collaborating. A year later, I was in Paris recording my debut Zouk album and writing in Creole for the first time, a transformative experience.

Living in places where my music wasn’t widely consumed gave me a sense of normalcy, but also made it hard to grasp its cultural impact. Balancing my studies in architecture and later interior design with performing to packed venues across Europe felt like living two separate lives. Hearing audiences sing my lyrics was humbling, yet the success often felt distant.

With social media still emerging at the time, I couldn’t fully measure the reach of my work. For me, the creative process and collaborating with an artist I admired mattered most. Nichols would often remind me “Your music is everywhere!” But I remained grounded, grateful for the opportunity to share my voice with the world.

After such success, you chose to step away from the music industry. What prompted that decision, and how did stepping back shape your perspective on your career and life?

Stepping away from the music industry was a culmination of experiences, mainly due to my lack of knowledge and support at the time. I was young and didn’t have the tools or understanding to navigate the business. Despite the success, I never saw any royalties or profit from my music, and my time with labels was marked by frustrations. I didn’t have a team that could protect me, and that’s what made me burn out. Music, which was once an intimate form of self-expression, became a painful reminder of what I lost, so I decided to walk away. It wasn’t a clean break, it was gradual. I moved on to a new life, completed university, became a mother, and focused on a design career. But over time, I realized that my identity had always been rooted in music. It took me 10 years to work my way back, and now I’m here.

Your music has remained beloved, with millions of streams even in your absence. How does it feel to see that your work continues to resonate with audiences today?

It’s honestly surreal to see my music continue to resonate with so many people. When I first released it, I had no idea it would leave such a lasting impact. What’s amazing is seeing how it’s passed down across generations. The adults who listened to my music exposed their children to it, and now those kids are sharing it with the next generation. It’s humbling to realize that my work has been a part of their lives for so long. That connection is what drives me forward, and I hope my comeback helps me reconnect with all these listeners, old and new.

What are some of the highlights or most cherished moments from your time at the peak of your career?

One of the most memorable moments was performing in front of a festival crowd and seeing thousands of people singing along to my lyrics. It was such a surreal feeling, especially because those lyrics were written as a form of self-expression. The energy in the crowd was electric, and the fact that people felt so connected to my music was overwhelming. It wasn’t about fame, it was about the shared energy. That was an unforgettable experience.

2025 marks your official return to the stage, with performances in Portugal and across Europe. What inspired you to return to music now, and how does it feel to be stepping back into the spotlight?

The decision to return was a mix of personal events and realizations. When my grandmothers passed away six months apart, I reflected on their lives. They both lived within the constraints of conventional societal norms and never had the chance to fully pursue their passions. It made me realize that I owe it to myself and my ancestors to try again. As a mother, I want to model pursuing dreams for my son, and in honoring their memory, I’ve decided to take this opportunity to rediscover and redefine who I am as an artist.

You’re collaborating with a member of Buraka Som Sistema for your comeback. How did this partnership come about, and what can fans expect from this collaboration?

I first met Andro during a Buraka concert in Hamburg. The energy their music was emitting in the room was so intense that I jumped on stage and danced, something I never would’ve done otherwise. After the show, I went backstage to meet the group and mentioned my interest in collaborating with Buraka Som Sistema. To my surprise, he knew my music and expressed interest in working together. Our paths didn’t align for years, but in 2018, we ran into each other again, this time at a festival in Lisbon. We reconnected, and that’s when things began to take shape. Andro is a producer with incredible energy, and he knows how to create the right environment for an artist to flourish. His authenticity and understanding of the global citizen experience allowed us to create something that reflects a sonic translation of said musical identity. 

As global citizens, we each carry a mosaic of influences from the places we’ve lived. My Cape-Verdean roots, my life in Europe, and my experiences in the United States all contribute to my musical identity. These diverse sounds, rhythms, and stories have shaped me, and now they’re woven into my work. Andro, who shares a similar global journey, helps me translate our individual narratives into a cohesive sonic landscape. Together, we create music that reflects our collective experiences and explores the intersection of different cultures. Our work is a celebration of identity, emotional depth, and cultural exploration, all grounded in our shared global context.

How do you envision this new phase of your career compared to your earlier years? Are there aspects of the music industry you’re particularly excited to explore? 

What’s different now is that I’m in charge of my career. I’ve spent time getting to know myself, and I feel more settled and comfortable in who I am as both a person and an artist. My maturity and desire to live as authentically as possible will guide me through this next chapter. This time around, I’m excited to fully develop my visual identity. Back in 2006, social media was just starting, and many people didn’t even know what I looked like. Now, I’m eager to connect visually with my audience. Additionally, I’m incorporating my design expertise into my music career, having already directed a few music videos. I look forward to exploring new genres and expanding into different music markets. There’s so much more I want to explore as an artist.

After being away from the public eye for some time, are you approaching your live performances differently this time around?

I used to be very shy on stage, but I've let go of that a long time ago. Now, I’m excited to share a more confident version of myself, one that’s more comfortable in my femininity. I grew up quite tomboyish and was always apprehensive about expressing myself sensually, but that has definitely changed.

Your Cape Verdean heritage is a big part of your identity. How has it influenced your music and artistic journey?

Now, I feel empowered to unapologetically infuse more Cape Verdean influences into my music, blending different sounds with authenticity. I’ve always considered myself a disruptor, driven to create music that resonates with me in the truest way possible. I’ve always seen fragments of that vision within the lusophone music world, and I’ve come to realize that my perspective is unique in how I approach music. This time around, I’m ready to be bolder, creating the kind of music I want to hear more of as a listener.

What are you most excited about as you prepare for your return to music? 

Being able to fully express myself musically and allow my evolution as an artist to unfold in the most authentic way.

Can fans expect new music alongside your live performances in 2025? If so, what themes or styles are you exploring?

Yes, lots of new music on the way, with blends of genres that might surprise you. Some tracks might even place me in genres you wouldn't expect.

CREDITS:
photography LUANA