By Miguel Vieira , FORCV Writer, Manager & Representative in New York and Washington, D.C.

Alberto Pina, FORCV webmaster, also collaborated on the writing of this article.

March 28, 2007- Winds of change have hit the Cape Verdean music world! D. Lopes, a 25 years old Brockton-CV rapper, and winner of the 2006 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Best Hip Hop Performance on 106 & Park show, has been voted the best Cape Verdean artist of 2006 in a one and a half month long poll launched by FORCV.com. The Best Cape Verdean Artist of 2006 poll included better known CV artists and bands such as Zeka di Nha Renalda, Lura, Sara Tavares, Ferro Gaita, Gil Semedo, among others, but yet D. Lopes came out victorious with 180 votes or 19% of the 954 total votes.

The complete list of the nominees and official result of the poll can be seen are the following: Of the 954 total poll votes, 180 or 19% was for D.
Lopes. Zeka di Nha Renalda, who's dubbed as the "king of Funana" by CV music pundits was the second most voted artist with 162 votes or 17% of the total. The third most voted was a band, the famous Ferro Gaita band, they totaled 138 or 14% of the votes.

Other nominated Cape Verdean artists such as the aspiring new "Cesaria Evoras", the trio Lura, Maria Andrade, and Sara Tavares, interestingly enough, all averaged 9% of the total votes, 90, 87, 85, respectfully. The other nominated singers, Tcheka, Gylito, Gil Semedo, and Maria de Barros, each averaged under 9 percentage points of the total 954 votes. (Best Cape Verdean Artist of 2006 Pool official results)

This victory symbolizes D. Lopes' immense popularity within the Cape Verdean music scenario. In turn, the rapper has and will continue to represent his Cape Verdean roots to the fullest. Whether he's in Boston, Lisbon New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Paris or Tokyo, he will always stay true to his Cape Verdean origin and influence.

Particularly, the genre that D. Lopes represents and sings about is one of fusion where Hip Hop meets CV rhythms.
Let's keep in mind that the best cultural commodity about Cape Verde is its music. In the genres of Funana, Morna, Batuku, Koladera, Mazurka, et cetera, Cape Verdeans see their musical creations in full impressive effect. Wherever Cape Verdeans go, those aforementioned genres are always present. They are dear and impressive genres to these African islanders and their friends all over the world.

Equally impressive, nonetheless, is the global impact and influence of Hip Hop. The youths of the world are on an across-the-board scale enamored by Hip Hop.
D. Lopes having grown up in Brockton, Massachusetts, right here in the United States, birth-country of Hip Hop, was naturally drawn toward this urban musical expressions at a very early age.

Nonetheless, at an even earlier age, D. Lopes was influenced by the songs and rhythms of Cape Verde, the birth place of his parents. The CV music influence, in turn, coupled with his Hip Hop rapping skills, gave birth to D.Lopes' unique and captivating rapping style and lyrics, alas, his having won the 2006 BET Best Hip Hop Performance.

On the other hand, this talented young rapper is a role model for many when it comes to doing it right. He never let his dream to become a hip pop star get in the way of his education. Actually, Lopes early figured out that to succeed in the very competitive hip pop world he has have to play it smart by using both his talents and intelligence. Therefore, he stayed focus throughout high school and college and graduated last year with B.A. in Business from the Bridgewater State College. Consequently, his sharp business skills helped him and friends found his company, Street Smart Music (www.StreetSmartMusic.com), which has been successful in promoting emerging hip pop artists from different parts of Massachusetts and instrumental in promoting D. Lopes image and career. This is what he wants to talk about in his upcoming album: Concrete Intelligence.

D. Lopes is also part of The Movement - a coalition "born out of the spirit of collaboration among Cape Verdean artists who are exploring new directions in the kriolu sound. It is a musical renaissance that aims to bridge the gap across the generations, nations, islands and languages of Cape Verdeans across the world. Inspired by Cape Verde’s own revolution, The Movement, seeks to engage Cape Verdeans to take an active role in the positive development of Cape Verde and its diaspora. The Movement also intends to increase global awareness of Cape Verdean music and culture through the promotion and support of new and long-standing artists."

Further, that D. Lopes has received numerous awards and accolades from BET.com, Sodade magazine, Boston WHDH Urban Update show with Byron Barnett, CVmusicworld.com, BostonLoop.com, among other music media outlets, point out to his increasing visibility and popularity. This popularity will not see an end provided that the Cape Verdean community as a whole continue to support him. And the best way to show our willingness to help this phenomenal rapper reach for the stars is by going to his concerts and events, and above all, by purchasing his first big hit album, The Bright Darkness, and soon to be released Concrete Intelligence. Otherwise, considering all that's been said and done, the Cape Verdean community, by way of FORCV.com, has taken a significant step to help set in motion the wheels of a CV rapper rise to super stardom.

Watch and listen to D. Lopes at myspace: myspace.com/streetsmartdlopes


Post your comment or holla a message to D. Lopes

D. Lopes,
Congratulations for the recognition you got for the Cape Verdean public. You've been a hard-working artist from the beginning. I respect you for accomplishing so much in such a short period of time.

You deserved the honor. Keep it up and keep in positive