Young singer Rick Mendes laments his absence from the 2026 São João festivities and says he feels undervalued.

Mendes, who has distinguished himself in the local music scene and is recognized by the public for his smooth and rhythmic voice, expressed his frustration with what he considers to be a lack of recognition of his work by the organizers. A native of Brava Island, the artist shared that he had hoped to be part of the event's lineup this year, an ambition that is renewed with each edition of the local festivities, but which, according to him, has been systematically thwarted by the absence of invitations or ridiculously low offers of fees.

In his statements, the singer spoke out about the impact this continued exclusion has on his professional career, pointing out that the lack of space for local talent on the island's major promotional platforms contributes to a feeling of discrimination and devaluation of local talent. For Rick Mendes, the inclusion of local artists in events of this magnitude is fundamental not only for the appreciation of Brava's culture, but also as a necessary incentive for the continued careers of young creators trying to succeed in the music market.

The exclusion of artists residing in or born on the island from high-profile events is a recurring topic of debate among the Cape Verdean artistic community, which frequently demands a greater participation quota and better contracting conditions compared to international acts or those with greater commercial appeal. To date, the organizing committee for the 2026 São João festivities and the local council have not issued any public clarification regarding the selection criteria adopted for this year's lineup or the complaints submitted by the musician.

MS