Calema

Calema is a brother duo from São Tomé and Príncipe, comprising António and Fradique Mendes Ferreira. Based between Portugal and France, they have been active on the Lusophone scene since the early 2010s. Rooted in an Afro-Lusophone pop sound, Calema craft romantic songs in Portuguese that blend mainstream pop melodies with kizomba-leaning rhythms and touches of R&B and light electronic music. The project first gained attention through covers and early tracks released online, before the duo took part in a Portuguese TV talent show in 2014—an experience that opened the door to a wider audience and to regular live activity across Europe and Africa. Now firmly settled in Portugal, António and Fradique continue to write and produce singles that circulate throughout the Lusophone world, bolstered by a strong presence on social media and video platforms. In 2019, Calema competed at Festival da Canção with "A Dois," further cementing the duo within contemporary Portuguese pop, and since then they have maintained a momentum of collaborations with singers and producers from Portuguese and African urban scenes, balancing gentle African textures with contemporary radio pop.