Irene Maria dos Santos Jovem Chimuangueno, singer and songwriter was born in Benguela, on March 21st 1980. She is the daughter of Ana Maria Verônica and Paulino Jovem, both born in Benguela (Angola), wife of Isau Chimuangueno and mother of 3 children. The first daughter was the main inspiration and honored with the title of the first album “Minha Filha (My Daughter)". Since that time Irene Jovem has become the artistic stage name.
Irene Jovem is passionate about music from a young age, having as preferred styles, at the time, Jazz, opera, classical and children's songs, but with the time she started appreciating other styles like kizomba, semba, R&B and others. She used to write novels/series and poetry and was member of the “Brigada Jovem De Literatura” (Angolan Literature Group) in Benguela in the 1990s. She was also member of different choral groups in Benguela and Luanda, of which, chorale group of Santa Teresinha do menino Jesus and Pedras Vivas from Our Lady of Carmo church, also chorale group of Catholic University of Angola and Independent University Of Angola (For a short time). She was also part of the group of Scouts of Angola and catechist of the Church of Our Lady of Populo in Benguela and later in Luanda in the Church of Our Lady of Carmo. Currently a member of SADIA (Angolan artists rights organization).
Irene Jovem always liked to sing, but never thought about recording a professional record, but during the first months of her first pregnancy she had this desire and did everything to get familiarized about the album production process. After collecting the information, she decided to wait until after the baby was born to start the career and she did.
It was in late 2009 when she took the first steps in professional music which involved an experimental recording with producer Jisah. In 2010 she recorded his first duet with singer Pelson in Beto Max studio with music producer Mike Mota. She released her first album on May 5 and 6, 2012. In this album she collaborated with excellent and very know angolan singers in some songs, Punidor (Genesis), Dji Tafinha, Léo, Jessica Simões, Dale Thompson, Pelson and Gizela Silva.
This album was independently produced using several producers. Mr. Isau Chimuangueno and Irene Jovem were the executive producers. The songs were produced in Angola by Dji Tafinha, Mike Mota, Banda Maravilha, Lee productions, Geovani and Dj Noraldino, and the mixing and mastering were mostly made by Cervantes in Portugal. The editing of the cover and photography section was done in Houston, United States of America by Houston Professional Photography, the manufacture and duplication were made by Digital LP. It has 13 songs, and the last song of the album is a gospel song intitled “Meu Pastor (My Pastor)” as the singer declared that she would have at least one Gospel song in every album she releases to honor her God who in her opinion is her Hero, Inspiration, Father, Protector, basically … her everything.
At end of 2014, she decided to be away from music industry to dedicate more time to the family and the new pregnancy. She partially returned at the end of 2017 with the first music of her second album entitled, “Nosso Sorriso” produced by Dji Tafinha and then recorded other songs for this new album which is still being recorded. Some of the songs already released from this album besides “Nosso Sorriso” are “Amigo do Tchilo”, and ”Nao Vai Morrer” both produced by the Heavy C. All songs from the first album and the ones already released for the second album are available in most of digital platforms.
Her plan for this second album is to include musical styles from other countries and some selections are: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and probably Mozambique. She is now in the process to expand her music around the world allowing people to appreciate different styles and flavors and for that reason, she intends to record all upcoming songs in English besides Portuguese so that more people can understand the content of her songs.
Irene has been and continues to be supported and encouraged by her family, friends and God who are her strength to face and overcome all obstacles to her new phase and career.