The native folk music of Mozambique has been highly influenced by Portuguese colonisation and local language forms.
The word marrabenta derives from the Portuguese rebentar (arrabentar in the local vernacular), meaning to break, a reference to cheap guitar strings that snapped quickly.
The most influential early marrabenta performer was Fany Pfumo, whose fame began after the success of "Loko ni kumbuka Jorgina".
Many of the most popular musicians in modern Mozambique spent time with Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Moçambique, including Stewart Sukuma, Chico António, Mr.
Pandza is the newest and most-popular style of Mozambican music, its invention credited to N'Star, Ziqo and Dj Ardiles in Maputo.
Most pandza is sung in Portuguese and the Shangana language from Maputo and its lyrics most of the time, elaborate the daily lifestyles of young Mozambicans.
Modern hip hop artists include Bander Artista, Kins Ferna's, Dygo Boy Jurus, Ziqo, Same Blood and Laylizzy.