Paulo Flores Ft. Yuri Da Cunha Njila Ia Dikanga -
It emphasizes the importance of roots, with lyrics urging the listener: "But don't forget the pain of the earth / Just don't forget to return" . Musical Composition Genre: A classic Semba , the traditional rhythm of Angola.
Watch the official performance and tribute to Angolan roots below: PAULO FLORES ft. YURI DA CUNHA NJILA IA DIKANGA
(Kimbundu for "The Path to the Faraway" or "Long Path") is a collaborative semba track by Angolan music icons Paulo Flores and Yuri da Cunha . Released in February 2020 and featured on the 2021 album Independência , the song is a profound meditation on memory, the Angolan diaspora, and the bittersweet reality of returning to a homeland that has fundamentally changed. Core Themes and Meaning It emphasizes the importance of roots, with lyrics
The lyrics contrast nostalgic memories with the harsh modern reality of Angola. Using irony, Flores describes a world where "Home is no longer home" and "Misery now pays VAT," reflecting the social and economic shifts following years of war and reconstruction. Released in February 2020 and featured on the
The song serves as an emotional tribute to the artists' grandmothers—Paulo's grandmother Cancan and Yuri's grandmother Julieta—who both shared a deep desire to pass away in their native land.
