Ndala Loroke (the-storyteller-from-the-mountain-top) Akabiru, also known as Alexandre Francisco Diaphra, or simply Biru, is an artist based in Lisbon, Portugal. His work is always rooted in music deeply marked by multiple influences, from electronic music to traditional sounds that reveal his origins in Angola and Guinea-Bissau. Difficult to classify as an artist, Akabiru is always willing to explore new art forms. Recently, he has embraced cinema as a means of expression, exploring a cinematic approach to music while simultaneously highlighting the free-form poetry of his own texts produced in various languages. Akabiru has extensive experience with educational projects. He has conducted workshops for very diverse audiences – children, young adults, and seniors from different cultures, latitudes, backgrounds, or origins. He participated in TEDx Mindelo and TEDx Luanda. He is currently the Ambassador of Poetry Slam in Guinea-Bissau, for CASP – Coupe d’Áfrique du Slam Poèsie. As a director, he debuted in 2022 with the short film PULSO (link to web version). Produced in the context of a training course by the Brazilian Association of Cinematography Film Courses, the short film was even selected for the 15th edition of Zózimo Bulbul – one of the most prestigious black film festivals in Brazil. Akabiru is currently preparing a new multidisciplinary project, based on his most recent discipline – cinema. Entitled NDALATANDA. This work follows Diaphra’s Blackbook of The Beats, published by the Franco-Swiss publisher Mental Groove (2015) and acclaimed by the international press.
