Ruy Mingas

Ruy Mingas, Angolan vocalist and guitar player, was one of his homeland's most famous musicians and performers. Well known and loved in his home country and beyond since the late '50s, Mingas was a pioneer in African music. Mixing musical elements of his Afro-Portuguese heritage with jazz and Latin music -- while addressing political themes of the day -- made him not only a popular musician, but a leader to his people. Given the rising interest in Afro-Portuguese music brought on by musicians like Césaria Évora and the Mendes Brothers, Mingas began to float back to the top of Western attention in the mid- to late '90s. Drawing on his cultural and political background, Mingas served as the Minister of Culture of Angola, while still regularly recording and performing. Ruy Mingas died on January 4, 2024, at the age of 84. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez