Afric Simone

Henrique Joaquim Simone
Born	(1956-07-17) 17 July 1956 Inhambane, Mozambique
Other names	Afric Simone
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician, entertainer
Height	170

Afric Simone (born Henrique Simone, 17 July 1956) is a Mozambican vocalist, musician, performance artist, multi-instrumentalist, dancer and entertainer. He entered the European charts with his first hit "Ramaya" in 1975, which was followed by another well-known song, "Hafanana", which was released later the same year.

Simone reached the peak of his popularity between 1975 and 1980 on both sides of the Iron Curtain, hence he toured the USSR, Poland, the GDR and Czechoslovakia in the Eastern Bloc, and retains that popularity even today throughout Europe.

Simone is one of the most prominent African musicians, being one of the few musicians of Mozambican ethnicity who sold-out shows at major international venues including L'Olympia, The Royal Albert Hall and the Carnegie Hall.

Early life

Simone was born in Inhambane, to a Brazilian father and Mozambique-origin mother. Soon after Afric's birth the family has moved to Brazil, but at the age of 9 (after his father's death) Afric and his mother had to move to her motherland Mozambique on the east coast of Africa.

Afric had to leave school and to start working, to help his mother and sisters. He was doing baby-sitting in the family of local doctor – and was constantly singing for the baby. At the age of 15 Afric and his friend moved to the capital of Mozambique, Maputo, and started their studies as masons / brick-layers. After the lessons have been over, Afric and his friend, in order to earn some money, performed at the city streets: played guitar, sang and danced. Since 1961 his artistic name was Kid-kid- and many fans from Mozambique still remember the artist under that stage name.

A manager of one of Maputo’s hotels have noticed 2 talented young provincials, and invited them to perform in the hotel restaurant. So since then Afric was having 3 jobs at a time: on the weekend he was playing guitar and singing in the hotel, and during the working week he was working as a mason during the day and performing on the street in the evenings.

It lasted for approximately 2 years, and slowly Afric gained the local popularity: people started to recognize him on the street, and even the local newspaper wrote about him. Then the young musician was noticed by a professional music manager from South Africa.

Professional career

In 1972 the single Mister Barracuda, was released under the artistic name Simone el Africano, that brought Afric #1 in charts of many South American countries. After that Afric has started to spend more time performing in South America, especially in Brazil, than in Africa.

At the certain point Afric's manager asked him to come to London. With first steps in show business in London, he has gathered invaluable experience for appearances in other European capitals. He gathered experience in doing gigs all over Europe. He was lucky that Eddie Barclay, the French record tycoon, went to see a show in Paris. They immediately signed the contract.

Afric Simone speaks German, English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, and various African languages, however his songs are written in the mixture of Swahili and few words from other languages. This idea resulted in a mixture of his own native tongue and European Happy Sound. Simone is also said to have pioneered the arts of breakdancing and beatboxing as can be seen in his live performances, for instance in the televised performance of his song "Playa Blanca", c.1975.

Afric Simone has been appearing in TV shows in France, Italy, Germany. In 1978 Afric’s album has been released in former Czechoslovakia; as a result, he was invited a few times to perform for Czech television (in a program moderated by Karel Gott – where he surprised the spectators with fire tricks while performing Curare. Later this year, Afric has recorded a duo with Czech star Helena Vondráčková.

In 1996 in Yakutsk, Russia Afric has been invited to visit the local shaman after the concert. That shaman has made some ritual that would, presumably, help Afric to live healthy till the age of 100.

In 1999 Afric Simone took part in the festival Tavria games in Ukraine. He still remembers the charter plane, that the festival organizers have hired, to bring the artists from Kyiv to the festival ground near Kakhovka. Afric thought that "this aircraft was ready to fall apart in the air" - and refused to fly back, insisting on driving back to Kiev (approx. 500 kilometers).

In 2003 Afric Simone took part in the second festival “Discoteka 80s”, organized by the Moscow-based radiostation “AvtoRadio”. The festival took place at Luzhniki Palace of Sports, and has been broadcasted by the first channel of Russian television on New Year’s Eve.

In 2004 Afric Simone took part in a project “Melodies and rhythms from Europe in State Kremlin Palace». During this project Russian artists have performed the songs from international participants, and vice versa. Afric Simone has performed – together with a Russian singer Evgeny Osin – the song called “Our neighbor”, originally recorded by a polish singer Edita Piekha in 1968

In 2012 Afric has taken part in the festival “Legends of Retro FM”, that took place in Olympic Stadium (Moscow) (maximum capacity 35.000 spectators).

The collaboration with the “Retro FM” radiostation has continued: in October 2014 Afric has celebrated his 75th birthday on board of cruise ship Liberty of the Seas, during a “Retro FM” cruise – together with Joy (Austrian band) and Baccara of Maria Mendiola.

In October 2017 Afric Simone performed in Mogilev, in Belarus, at the festival “Golden Schlager”. Next to the cultural palace of Mogilev he has planted a maple, that became part of the “Alley of stars”.

In March 2018 Afric has for the first time performed in Chișinău, in Moldova, at the festival “Retro Legends” (part of the 10-days Mărțișor festival).

In February 2019 Afric Simone has performed – alongside with many European and Russian artists from 80s and 90s – at “Discoteka Avtoradio” festivals, that took place in Berlin (Velodrom) and Düsseldorf (ISS Dome).

In July 2022 Afric Simone performed at the festival in Cluj-Napoca, in Romania. In October 2023 Afric Simone has performed at the festival “Arena Retro Party” in Budapest, Hungary, and on December 31, 2023 - in Tbilisi, in Georgia (country).

Private life

In 1978, he settled in Berlin, Germany. Afric Simone has been married 3 times. From his second marriage Afric has a son, Fabio. Afric's third wife, Ludmila, is ethnically Russian . They have met in Berlin in 2003.

Discography

Albums

• 1974 - Mr. Barracuda (BASF, 2021932)
• 1975 - Ramaya (Barclay, 70024)
• 1976 - Aloha Playa Blanca (CNR)
• 1978 - Boogie Baby (RCA)
• 1978 - Jambo Jambo (Epic)
• 1981 - Marria Sexy Bomba De Paris (Epic)
• 1990 - Afro Lambada (Multisonic)

CD

• 1989 - Best of Afric Simone (re-edition 2002 with bonus tracks)

Singles

• 1972 - "Barracuda" / "Hey Safari" (BASF)
• 1974 - "Barracuda" / "Hûmbala" (Ariola 1974)
• 1975 - "Ramaya" / "Piranha" (Barclay, BRCNP 40066)
• 1976 - "Hafanana" / "Sahara" (Barclay, BRCNP 40072)
• 1976 - "Aloha-Wamayeh" / "Al Capone" (Hansa, 17 586 AT)
• 1977 - "Maria Madalena" / "Aloha" (Barclay)
• 1977 - "Playa Blanca" / "Que Pasa Mombasa" (Musart, MI 30387)
• 1978 - "Playa Blanca" / Marabu (Barclay)
• 1980 - "China Girl" / "Salomé" (Barclay)