From around 1950, Cape Verdeans started coming to Rotterdam in large numbers to work in the harbour. João Silva, also known as Djunga de Biluca, was one of them. During the fight for independence in his homeland, he wanted to keep his culture alive. And so, he founded the very first Cape Verdean record label in Rotterdam. In Cape Verde, the records released by Morabeza Records were often banned by the Portuguese rulers. Nevertheless, the Cape Verdean sailors had little trouble smuggling the records into the country, so the music could still be heard.
