Portuguese singer/songwriter Mafalda Veiga first tasted success with "Velho," which won her first place in the Festival da Cancao in the city of Silves. Her debut album, 1987's Pássaros do Sul, won her national recognition, including the Trofeu Nova Gente Award for Best Singer and the opportunity to represent Portugal at the RTP International Festival in Yugoslavia. Released in 1988, Cantar won the Premio Antena 1 for Best Record, and 1993's Nada Se Repete was also a national award-winner. A Cor da Fogueira (1996) and Afinidades (1998) led to her mainstream breakthrough, 1999's Tataugem. Subsequent releases earned her a continuously growing fan base. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez