Maria has a voice drenched with soul, sincerity and romanticism that forms a strong bond with any who hear her.

An invitation into the musical world of Maria de Barros requires an intriguing geography lesson. The sensuous singer, currently making her recording debut with a multi-faceted project aptly titled NHA MUNDO (My World), is a native of Dakar, Senegal in West Africa and lived for the first 13 years of her life in Nouackchott, Mauritania in northwest Africa. Her creative heart, however, lies in the culturally rich land of Cabo Verde, a former Portuguese colony located 350 miles off the coast of Senegal, the birthplace of her parents.

She uses colorful descriptions like "hospitable," "peaceful," "family oriented" and "hard work ethic" to describe her ancestral home, but it's the island's incredible melting pot of music — which includes everything from African and Portuguese to Argentinean and Cuban influences — that has always inspired her to set her heart on home.

Five-time Grammy^(R) nominee Cesaria Evora, the “barefoot diva”, helped to place the music of Cape Verde on U.S. audiences’ musical map. Godmother to de Barros, Evora’s ongoing encouragement led to de Barros fashioning her own lively and vivacious interpretation of Cape Verdean music. Evora, the Queen of the Mornas, and de Barros, Queen of the Coladeiras paint a complete musical picture of this tradition-rich land. 

"The title song talks about where I'm from, and it's my hope that everyone who listens feels that I've brought them into my world as a special guest," she says. "It's a happy, fun world. While Cape Verdean artists have often sung of the struggles of life in the islands, my childhood was wonderful and I want to show that positive side of life in Cabo Verde. My songs speak of yearning for home, of an immigrant returning with hope, going back to the homeland to contribute to its growth. The only song written on a different theme is Nao Nhu, which offers strength and encouragement to women.”