During election campaigns, musicians perform mainly to prepare the audience for the candidates' speeches. The artists express gratitude for the financial benefit and the opportunity to conduct an impromptu tour. Most of them distance themselves from any party affiliations.
This practice has a long history, but the temptation to attract foreign musicians is waning; preference is now given to national artists, whether out of conviction or purely for financial reasons. Only this year's presidential elections in July, as well as legislative, municipal, and regional elections in September, have provided them with numerous impromptu stages on open trucks.
In São João de Colares, in southern São Tomé, Leo Boca Copa began his performance on a rainy day with a song about emigration. He addresses his mother, telling her that he searched for a better life but did not find what he envisioned. The 41-year-old musician, having connections to both Portugal and São Tomé, shares the difficulties he faced during the migration transition, saying: 'I tell her that I am not coming back empty-handed; I bring something with me.'
This thought resonates with the youth, who are witnessing record levels of emigration in recent years, especially to Portugal. With over 20 years of career experience, five of which are linked to participating in election campaigns, he explains his choice to those who offer better working conditions and higher fees. He notes that since he is already associated with this party, he cannot switch to another, and welcomes the fact that 'these days parties work more with local artists.'
He is unconcerned about party collaborations, asserting: 'We are the people, not politics.' He adds: 'Our goal here is to earn money. This is a moment when we can do something.'
In the evening in the Caué district, Bruna Lee gets off the truck that served as a stage, surrounded by two columns passing through a small square surrounded by supporters of the Independent Democratic Action (ADI), one of the parties participating in the elections in São Tomé and Príncipe. She shouts that participating in the campaign 'helps return home, see family we haven't seen in a long time.' She emphasizes that this is a chance to utilize the situation, as her cultural market does not always fully support her work, and she wants to remind people that she is alive and show that 'the people built it.'
'Am I concerned about personal association with the party? No, it doesn't bother me. It's a signed contract, but I will definitely perform if I can somewhere,' smiles the 40-year-old artist, who also lives in Portugal.
Mr. Page previously performed in Angola, Cape Verde, and Gabon, and is now in Portugal. He has always performed at campaigns while in São Tomé. He reports that this was the first time he traveled from Lisbon here, thanking 'the country's second-largest party, MLSTP (Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe), and the sponsorship of Dr. Americo Barros, the president.'
When asked the same question about possible party ties that might 'stick to the artist,' he gives a negative answer with a pragmatic remark: 'No. Everything is fine on my end, calm, I have a contract with the party, I hope to fulfill it,' he says, placing his hand on sunglasses with colored frames that blend with the bright tones of the campaign in Santo Amaro, in the Lobata district.
For Babylonie, a 32-year-old musician, this question is also irrelevant. Since moving to Portugal in 2022, 'this is the first time' he has had the opportunity to join a 'prime ministerial election' campaign. He states: 'I come, they invite me, I do my job as a professional, and that's it. But I don't interfere in politics. I don't interfere at all.'
His priorities are clear: to see his homeland and promote what new he can offer his followers. He plans: 'I will take advantage of this and make a music video; I have many new songs to release. I also took advantage of being here in São Tomé to promote my new work' before it reaches international platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
