Fado Top 10 Singers Through the Years

by Joaquim DeCarvalho

Fado is a traditional music genre from Portugal, characterized by mournful songs and themes of longing, separation, and nostalgia. It is typically sung in Portuguese and accompanied by a 12-string guitar, or “Portuguese guitar.” It is not widely popular outside of Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking world, though it has a dedicated fanbase in those regions.

There are many talented fado singers, but here are ten popular and well-known fado singers:

1. Amália Rodrigues – Often referred to as the “Queen of Fado,” Amália Rodrigues was a prominent fado singer in the 20th century and helped popularize the genre internationally.

2. Carlos do Carmo – A contemporary of Amália Rodrigues, Carlos do Carmo is considered one of the most important fado singers of the 20th century.

3. Mariza – A younger generation fado singer, Mariza has been credited with revitalizing the genre and bringing it to a new audience.

4. Ana Moura – A young fado singer with a powerful voice, Ana Moura has been praised for her ability to convey emotion and passion in her singing.

5. Camané – A highly respected and acclaimed fado singer, Camané is known for his powerful and emotive performances.

6. Cristina Branco – A young fado singer with a powerful voice, Cristina Branco has been praised for her ability to convey emotion and passion in her singing.

7. Mísia – A versatile fado singer, Mísia has been praised for her ability to convey emotion and passion in her singing.

8. Gisela João – A young fado singer, Gisela João has been praised for her ability to convey emotion and passion in her singing.

9. Dulce Pontes – A versatile fado singer, Dulce Pontes has been praised for her ability to convey emotion and passion in her singing.

10. Teresa Salgueiro – A versatile fado singer, Teresa Salgueiro has been praised for her ability to convey emotion and passion in her singing.

It’s worth mentioning that this list is not exhaustive and there are many other talented fado singers.