By Christine Jean-PierreCSMS Magazine Staff WriterIn case you have not been watching MTVPortugal, TraceTV, or listening to RNJ Antilles radio in Martinique and Guadeloupe for the past four years, you may not have heard of the hit Cape Verdian zouk sensation Elizio. He is one of the hottest Konpa/Zouk artists out there now. But his song Ne me laisse pas is the one that has catapulted him to the highest echelon of the Caribbean/West African music industry. Singing in a duet with Cape Verdiansongstress Celia, this song, which is framed by a thrilling Konpa beat, has already captured the hearts of many, establishing him as a serious artist. Elizio was born on January 12, 1979 in Luanda, Angola from Cape Verdian parents. In his teenage years, he moved to France to pursue a career in hip hop dancing. No one knew of his talent until he was introduced to Zouk artist Kaysha in July of 2000 through a friend who saw him rapping in Portuguese one day after dance practice. It wasn’t until he auditioned for Sushirawrecords as a rapping zouk artist that his career would be launched. In 2001, Elizio’s career reached in new height when he participated in Kaysha’s album It’s all love in the song Fiona. The song was a huge hit that Kaysha invited Elizio on his European/West African tour, where he was Kaysha’s opening act. In December of 2002, Elizio collaborated with Zouk songstress Soumia for her hit singleBEACH CLUB for the album Still in love. The single reached to the top of TVFrance. It also was radio top-ten hit list for three weeks straight and earned Elizio the award for best song collaboration in the RNJ radio music awards. In late August of 2003, Elizio released his debut album Original di Cabo Verde. The album featured artists such as Kaysha, Ludo, Perle Lama, Princess Lover, and Abege. The album gave Elizio critical acclaim as a solo artist by selling almost over 25,000 copies all over the French Caribbean and West Africa. Next month, the singer will release his second long awaited new album Confirmacao. It is rumored that the album will feature guest appearances from Ali angel, Kaysha, Soumia, Tina,Abege, and Cape Verdian songtress Marcia. The album will be produced by Kaysha and company. Elizio is a Konpa/Zouk artist with an unforgettable talent for putting Portuguese raps and Kizomba beats in Zouk music. Kizomba is the name used for Konpa in Cape Verde. Elizio’s success proves that both Konpa and Zouk can reach anywhere—f rom Fort-de-France, Martinique to West Africa in countries such as Angola and Cape Verde.Also see Milca: New Haitian diva crowned in Paris while Konpa is breaking new grounds
Elizio: The original di Cabo Verde
