Tiger Massuco / Banda Mandlozi

Isaías Sebastião Massuco is a Mozambican musician and cultural activist, born on November 25, 1989, in Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza Province in southern Mozambique. A visionary and committed citizen, he has dedicated his life to the promotion of social development and the cultural enrichment of his country.

Coming from a family with deep musical roots, Isaías was raised in a traditional music environment. His parents led a “Xingomane” and “Ngalanga” ensemble in the village of Vamangue, Mandlakazi District, during the 1970s and 1980s. He was particularly influenced by his father, Sebastião Massuco, a former miner in South Africa who also played Marrabenta guitar music during the 1990s.

In 1999, Isaías was introduced to the guitar by his cousin Valdimiro Macuacua, sparking his passion for music. In 2005, he recorded his first Hip-Hop track titled “Come to Me” as a founding member of the group “D-Clen” based in Xai-Xai. That same year, he adopted the stage name “Tiger-Man,” marking the beginning of his professional journey in music. After three years in Hip-Hop, he discovered his passion for singing in 2007. In 2008, he joined the emerging group BSP, with whom he recorded his first Marrabenta song, “Mbilo Yanga.” During this period, he also began producing music and video, acquiring technical skills in recording and editing.

In 2010, Isaías became a guitarist for the FBM Tchauke band, later transitioning to bass guitar and developing proficiency in drums. In 2012, he joined the band of the former Provincial Directorate of Education and Culture (DEPEC) in Gaza as a guitarist. In 2013, he was selected by Mozambique Music Crossroads to participate in the international Music Bridges festival in Vanuatu, Australia. He later took part again when the festival was held in Mozambique in 2014. Following this experience, he founded his current band “Mandlozi,” where he performs as a bassist and adopted the name “Tiger-Massuco.”

In 2016, he was awarded Best Song in the "Unanga la Kaya RM Gaza" program with the track “Mafole ni mi Khonguelo,” earning the additional moniker “The Champion Madla Swi Sala.” In 2017, he was selected by Music Crossroads Mozambique to participate in the MOVE program in Norway and Brazil. This initiative provided training in music, leadership, and cultural exchange, including formal music theory classes during his stay in Brazil. The same year, he performed at the inaugural edition of the Mozambique Music Meeting festival in Maputo.

Upon returning to Mozambique in 2018, Isaías founded the Xai-Xai Musicians Association (AMUX), after presenting the proposal and being elected president with over 96% of the votes.

In 2021, he was appointed as the provincial delegate for SOMAS, the national copyright management organization, in Gaza Province.

Beyond his musical endeavors, Tiger-Massuco has worked as a data enumerator and entry technician since 2013. He has collaborated with various organizations including Helen Keller International, Save the Children, New Link, Music in Africa Foundation, World Vision, and Afrikit, most recently serving as an enumerator and supervisor.