Trakinuz: From the Roots of Picos to the National Spotlight of Cabo Verdean Music

Nominee: Trakinuz (Jailson Correia)
Category: Music Artist of the Year
Country: Cabo Verde
Edition: West African Citizens Awards 2026

Every artist has a story behind the music. For Trakinuz, that story begins in Picos, in the municipality of São Salvador do Mundo on Santiago Island, Cabo Verde. From his early attraction to hip-hop and the determination to pursue music beyond his immediate surroundings, he has developed an artistic identity that brings together rap, Afrobeat and other contemporary sounds.

Born Jailson Jorge Gomes Correia, Trakinuz is a Cabo Verdean rapper, singer and songwriter whose career reflects both an attachment to his musical beginnings and a willingness to explore different sounds. His journey is one of persistence, artistic development and the representation of a community through music.

Discovering Hip-Hop and Finding His Voice

Trakinuz’s interest in music developed during his secondary-school years. In an interview with Expresso das Ilhas, he recalled how a friend introduced him to hip-hop, opening the door to a genre that would become central to his artistic identity.

Influenced by international rap figures, including Eminem, 2Pac, DMX, The Notorious B.I.G. and others, he began developing an appreciation for the culture, expression and storytelling associated with hip-hop.

His early steps were closely connected to Picos, his home community. In 2010, he and a friend participated in a hip-hop competition held in the area. Although they did not succeed in their first attempt, they returned the following year and won.

That early experience helped establish the foundation of the musical project that would become Trakinuz. When his collaborator later moved abroad, Jailson continued with the name, retaining a connection to the original partnership and the people associated with its beginnings.

In his 2022 interview with Expresso das Ilhas, he explained that he resumed pursuing music more seriously in 2018. The decision to retain the name Trakinuz was also a way of honouring its origins rather than treating the project as an entirely individual identity.

Building a Musical Identity

In 2018, Trakinuz released his first EP, Sonhuz ta Kontinua Vivu. The seven-track project became an important turning point in his career, helping him reach a wider audience and secure performance opportunities across Cabo Verde.

He told Expresso das Ilhas that the project gave him greater visibility, with opportunities to perform on several islands, participate in music festivals and undertake tours in Europe and Brazil.

Although rap remained the foundation of his musical expression, Trakinuz increasingly explored other styles. His subsequent work demonstrated an interest in combining the energy and lyrical character of hip-hop with Afrobeat and other contemporary African sounds.

His 2024 EP, Passajeru, represented a return to the rap foundations that first introduced him to music. The project contained seven tracks, with the single “Nu Tem Ki Muda”, featuring Garry, serving as an early release.

In an interview with A Nação, Trakinuz described himself as a rapper who also sings Afrobeat and other musical styles. That distinction is important to understanding his work: he has not abandoned his beginnings in pursuit of new sounds, but has continued to expand the range of his musical expression.

“Avé Maria” and a Defining Year

One of the most significant milestones in Trakinuz’s career came with “Avé Maria”, a song that became a major success in Cabo Verde’s contemporary music scene.

Released in 2025, the track brought together the artist’s evolving musical identity and reached a wide audience. Its popularity was reflected in its double nomination at the 2026 Cabo Verde Music Awards (CVMA), where it competed in the categories of Music of the Year and Afrobeat/House/Pop of the Year.

On June 6, 2026, at the 15th edition of the Cabo Verde Music Awards in São Vicente, Trakinuz won both categories with “Avé Maria”.

The recognition was significant: the song received the ceremony’s Music of the Year award, alongside the genre-specific Afrobeat/House/Pop distinction. The achievement placed Trakinuz among the leading award recipients of the evening.

According to coverage by Balai, the artist dedicated his Music of the Year recognition to fellow musician Garry, who had also been nominated in the category. During his acceptance, Trakinuz reflected on his journey from the rural community of Picos to the national music stage.

The moment carried meaning beyond the trophies. It brought attention to an artist whose story began outside the country’s major urban centres and whose work had grown into a recognised part of Cabo Verde’s contemporary music landscape.

Staying Connected to His Roots

For Trakinuz, the name and identity he carries are closely connected to his background. His journey from Picos has remained part of the story surrounding his music, even as his audience and performance opportunities have expanded.

His development also reflects the changing character of Cabo Verdean popular music, where traditional influences, hip-hop, Afrobeat and other contemporary styles continue to interact.

His discography includes projects such as Sonhuz ta Kontinua Vivu and Passajeru, alongside singles including “Avé Maria”, “Nu Tem Ki Muda”, “Ka Nu Briga”, and later releases such as “Mil Ano” and “Dja Nu Ba Mundial”.

Across these releases, Trakinuz has continued to build a body of work that reflects his roots while exploring different musical directions.

A Nomination That Celebrates Artistic Growth

The journey of Trakinuz is not simply a story of a successful song. It is a story of an artist who discovered his passion through hip-hop, developed his craft over time, returned to his musical ambitions with renewed commitment and expanded his sound without losing sight of his beginnings.

His double victory at the 2026 Cabo Verde Music Awards for “Avé Maria” represents an important milestone in that journey. It also provides a significant context for his nomination for Music Artist of the Year at the West African Citizens Awards 2026, representing Cabo Verde.

At WAFRIC Awards, this nomination recognises the creativity, dedication and contribution of West Africans whose work continues to shape their respective fields. Trakinuz’s musical journey, from the community of Picos to national recognition, offers a compelling example of artistic development grounded in identity and persistence.

From the roots of Santiago to the wider soundscape of Cabo Verde, Trakinuz continues to make his voice heard.

Recognizing the Unseen. Celebrating the Exceptional.

Support Trakinuz

Trakinuz is nominated for Music Artist of the Year, representing Cabo Verde, at the West African Citizens Awards 2026.

🗳️ Cast your vote: Visit the official WAFRIC Awards public voting page and locate the Music Artist of the Year category.

📋 Read the voting procedures and criteria: WAFRIC Awards 2026 Voting Procedures.

Voting closes on November 15, 2026. Public voting forms part of the process but is not the sole determinant of the final winners; the published criteria and final assessment also apply.