Portugal and its former colonies are linked musically by the shared influence of fado, a bluesy form of music derived from itinerants in Lisbon. In varying forms, the genre has dominated Portuguese music since the early 20th century, and has also spread to its former colonies, especially Brazil and the African colonies (Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and Angola), while having a lesser influence on the Asian colonies of Sri Lanka and East Timor.
Of all the Lusophone countries, the one with the most internationally renowned popular music is probably Brazil. One of the largest countries in the world, Brazil's mix of diverse African and indigenous styles with fado and other Portuguese traditions has produced an eclectic mix of styles, most famously including bossa nova, as well as samba, choro and lambada. Portuguese fado has had some success internationally, as has Cape Verdean morna, which is closely related to fado. Mozambique boasts popular timbila and marrabenta music, and Guinea-Bissau's gumbe scene once thrived; Angolan semba accentuates the later crosscultural linking between the Lusophone countries -- it is related to Brazilian samba, but the origins of both are murky and unclear.
Salsa music is a diverse and predominantly Caribbean and Latin genre that is popular across Latin America and among Latinos abroad; the style is the primary music played at Latin danceclubs and is the essential pulse of Latin music, according to author Ed Morales.
This type of music is played primarily in the Recife and Olinda regions during Carnaval.
The music serves as the backdrop for parade groups that evolved out of ceremonies conducted during colonial times in honour of the Kings of Congo, who were African slaves occupying symbolic leadership positions among the slave population.
Portugal is internationally known in the music scene for its traditions of fado, a popular form of music that has undergone numerous mutations in the last half of the 20th century.
Fado (fate in Portuguese) arose in Lisbon as the music of the urban poor.
Trás-os-Montes' musical heritage is closely related to the music of Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias.
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