Artist page

Joao Selva, born in Rio de Janeiro to a pastor from Ipanema, grew up in a community of former prisoners and converted artists. At 18, he began his career as a travelling artist, performing music hall shows for children across Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. He eventually settled in Lyon, France, where he started recording music. His albums, Navegar (“to sail”) released in 2021 and Passarinho (“little bird”) in 2023, reflect his ambition to connect various musical components of the Black Atlantic, encompassing Brazilian samba, Angolan Semba, Cape Verdean funaná, Caribbean zouk, Congolese rumba, and American funk. His latest album, Onda, continues this exploration, showcasing a vibrant transatlantic sound infused with sensuality and joy. Known for his sunny and flamboyant spirit, Joao Selva is set to release the new wave album “Onda” through Underdog Records in 2025.

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