Just like the Cape Verdean diva Cesaria Evora, Gabriela Mendes was born and grew in the town of Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, one of the nothern islands in Cape Verde. She was four years old when she discovered the pleasure of music, by listening to her mother singing with famous musicians such as the violonist Malaquias. The little girl Gabriela went to the Salesiana School, famous to have accomodated futures great names of contemporary Cape Verdean music (Tito Paris, Paulino Vieira, Bau, etc).