Kizomba

The origins of kizomba can be traced to late-1970s Africa, with influences variably attributed to Angola.[3][4] Kizomba is characterized by a slower, romantic, more sensuous rhythm[5] than the traditional Angolan semba music.[3] Kizomba music emerged as a fusion of Semba, Angolan Merengue, Kilapanga, and further Angolan music influences:[1] It slowed down the cadence of songs and added a stronger bass line to the composition of instruments. Eduardo Paim is internationally recognized as the "father/creator of Kizomba music", as he and his band were taking a major role in the development of the music style creation.[6] Most kizomba songs are sung in Portuguese or a dialect from the various Portuguese-speaking, African cultures.

A couple dances kizomba

Semba has been danced in the 1950s in Angola. In the 1990s, when the actual kizomba music got more and more popular, Angolan semba dancers started to adapt their semba steps according to the tempo and flavor of the Kizomba beats.[7] The Kizomba dance is a couple dance, in which the torso and right arm of the leader will guide the follower across the dance floor. It is the goal to synchronize perfectly as a couple with the music and express it through elegant footwork, smooth body movement, and attitude, called Ginga (for women) and Banga (for men).

Cape Verdean singers and producers with kizomba compilations include Suzanna Lubrano, Atim, Nilton Ramalho, Johnny Ramos, Nelson Freitas, Mika Mendes, Manu Lima, Cedric Cavaco, Elji Beatzkilla, Loony Johnson, Klazzik, Mark G, To Semedo, Beto Dias, Heavy H, Marcia, Gilyto, Kido Semedo, Ricky Boy, Klaudio Ramos, M&N Pro, Gilson, Gil, G-Amado, Philip Monteiro, Gama, Juceila Cardoso and Denis Graça, Z-BeatZ Pro AudioHustlin'. Original influential music styles from Cape Verde are funaná, morna, coladeira and batuque. Thanks to the French Antilles konpa promoted as Zouk love and the strong influence of semba (from Angola), Cape Verdean singers have developed significantly kizomba and zouk (mixing it with coladeira) known as Cabo love or cola-dance. Moreover, every lusophone country has developed its own Kizomba music flavor.[7]

In Brazil, kizomba became famous when the pop artist Kelly Key released the album No Controle, on February 3, 2015. Key left the dance-pop/R&B songs to introduce the kizomba in Brazil.[10] In an interview Key said she sought originality and new styles: "I'm running this responsibility of being predictable. I wanted to record Kizomba for 13 years! Now I feel mature and have knowledge of movement".[11]

Kizomba is growing in popularity in some major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Some teachers of kizomba are Chinese while others are foreign. Every year, different Latin dance festivals are organized and presented such as Shanghai Bachata/Kizomba Festival.[12]