Comedy Portuguese stands at the incredible milestone of 10 years, marking a decade of laughter, storytelling, and connection that has resonated deeply within the Portuguese community and beyond. This is more than an anniversary—it’s a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the ability to bring joy to others. Through the ups and downs, Steve Melo – A.K.A Ben Fate (the artistic force behind Comedy Portuguese) has embraced this journey wholeheartedly. He crafed this second album that not only celebrates the evolution of his comedy and music but also serves as a gift to the audience that made it all possible. With heartfelt tracks that span genres and languages, and stories that reflect the richness of culture and life, this is more than music—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and authenticity.
Ten Years Strong Album
Momma Braga was beyond thrilled to be among the first to get an exclusive sneak peek at the album 10 Years Strong by the incredibly talented Ben Fate. Every track left us in awe, so much so that we found ourselves jotting down our favourites as we listened—there were simply too many to choose from! Staying true to our commitment to going the extra mile, we had the privilege of sitting down with Ben Fate himself for an insightful interview, bringing our loyal global readers the inside scoop on this remarkable musical journey. It’s an experience we’ll never forget!
Exclusive Interview With Steve Melo on 10 Years Strong
1. What was the inspiration behind the album, and how does it reflect your journey over the past 10 years?
This album comes from a really honest place. Over the past 10 years, I’ve gone through a lot — raising my kids, facing personal and family struggles, and trying to hold on to both culture and humour through it all. Supporters have been amazing, always encouraging me to keep creating, while some critics didn’t always understand the blend of comedy, emotion, and different genres. But I wasn’t trying to follow a formula — I was just being unapologetically me. This album is a reflection of that journey, but more importantly, it’s a gift to anyone who enjoyed my first album. It’s a celebration of 10 years of Comedy Portuguese — a thank you to everyone who’s laughed with me, shared my work, or just felt seen in it.
2. Can you share the story or meaning behind some of my favourite tracks? (#2 The Return of Tia Maria, #10 10 Years Strong, #13 Back in the Day, #6 Vira Vira, and #17 Pai). I could have listed the whole CD but I don’t want to seem crazy 😉
#2 The Return of Tia Maria
This song is a playful tribute to the original classic by Shawn Fernandes, which so many of us grew up with. It’s such an iconic part of the community, and when it looked like there wouldn’t be a sequel, I thought it would be a fun challenge to create something that felt like a natural follow-up. But I also wanted it to reflect today’s world, especially how gossip and drama have moved online to social media. In a way, it’s both a nod to our culture’s past and a commentary on how things have changed. It’s full of inside jokes, but anyone from the community will definitely understand the spirit behind it.
#6 Vira Vira
Vira Vira was just pure energy and fun. When I was creating it, I kept thinking about all the festas, weddings, and backyard parties I grew up going to — where everyone would be dancing, laughing, and just living in the moment. This song is meant to capture that feeling. It’s upbeat, it’s contagious, and it’s meant to bring people together. Even if you don’t know the steps to a vira, I think the track invites you to just get up and move without worrying about it. That was really the goal — to bring that sense of joy to life in the music. It blends EDM with classic folklore sounds, and whether you’re a Vavo or a Gen Z cousin, this one’s made to get you up and have a good time on the dance floor.
#10 10 Years Strong
This one feels a little more personal. It’s not meant to be overly emotional, but it does reflect on the journey. People often only see the end result — the videos, the songs, the shows — but they don’t always see the long nights, the second-guessing, and the hard work that happens behind the scenes. 10 years is a long time to keep pushing, especially when you’re doing something niche like Comedy Portuguese. This track is a small reminder to myself that sticking with it, through the ups and downs, has been worth it. It’s not a ‘look at me’ song — it’s more like quietly acknowledging the road traveled.
#13 Back in the Day
Back in the Day is a reflection on the good times of being young — those moments when life felt simpler and full of possibilities. It’s about looking back with nostalgia at the fun and carefree days of youth, but also realizing how fast time flies. We often forget how quickly those years pass by until we take a moment to reflect on them. This song is a reminder to cherish those times and appreciate the small moments that made those years special. For anyone who’s been through that phase, it’ll resonate with how quickly everything changes, and how sometimes, all we can do is look back and smile at the memories.
#17 Pai
Pai is without a doubt the most emotional song for me on this album. It’s about my father, and also about fatherhood in general — the respect, the challenges, and the gratitude that comes with it. Even though I’m very blessed to still have my dad in my life, I wrote this song as if he were no longer here. I know that day will come, and maybe I needed to put these feelings into a song now, so when that time does happen, I’ll have something to hold onto. It’s a way to honor him while he’s still here, and hopefully a song that others can listen to and think about their own fathers too. It’s deeply personal, but I think it speaks to something universal.
3. The album features music in both English and Portuguese and spans different genres. How did you approach blending these elements?
I didn’t want to box Comedy Portuguese into one sound, and that’s why my artist name for music is actually Ben Fate. I grew up surrounded by so many different styles — whether it was Portuguese folklore, hip-hop, pop, or even a bit of electronic. Mixing genres and switching between English and Portuguese just felt natural. I wanted the album to be a true reflection of all those influences rather than sticking to just one formula. I don’t limit myself to one lane. Switching between English and Portuguese, or mixing styles, is just part of who I am. What holds it all together is the storytelling and the humour — that’s the constant thread throughout.
4. How have fans responded to the album so far, and are there any tracks that have resonated particularly strongly with them?
The album has only been out for about a week, but so far the feedback has been amazing. One really special moment for me was playing the song I made for my grandma at her 90th birthday celebration. Seeing her reaction and sharing that moment with family was something I’ll never forget. That alone made all the hard work feel worth it. It’s cool to see different tracks connecting with different people for different reasons.
5. Did you work with any other artists or producers on this album? If so, how did those collaborations shape the final product?
The only obvious help I had was through the use of AI tools to help bring my ideas to life. But every lyric, every story, came straight from my own head. I definitely took inspiration from some of my favorite artists, one of them being Joey Medeiros, who I just had on the latest episode of my podcast. We actually had a pretty honest and in-depth conversation about music, artistry, and the use of AI that I think people would find fascinating. Joey is someone who plays every instrument and sings every word himself. And I’ll be the first to admit that I am nowhere near him at that level musically, so I needed help to take the ideas I had and turn them into reality. AI helped bridge that gap, but the heart of this album is completely mine. The main thing for me was working finding the balance I was going for — funny but sincere, nostalgic but fresh. It really helped elevate the sound without losing the raw, personal touch I wanted this album to have.
6. If you had to pick one track from the album that represents Comedy Portuguese’s essence, which would it be and why?
Man, if I had to pick just one, it would probably have to be ‘Blica Problems’ — just because of the humour, vulgarity and absurdity of it all. Love it or hate it, Comedy Portuguese has always been geared towards a more mature audience, and that track really embraces that spirit. It’s definitely not for everyone, and honestly, neither is the whole album. But I truly believe that no matter what style of music you’re into, there’s at least one track on here you’ll enjoy. I also really love how “Sou Açoriano” came out, a track that pays tribute regardless of what island you come from.
7. How are you planning to celebrate this milestone with your fans and supporters?
Besides the release of this album, I’ll be announcing more Porkchops & Comedy show dates throughout the year very soon. If we’re coming to your area, definitely come out and celebrate with us — I’d love nothing more than to share this milestone with the people who made it all possible. As for May 4th, which officially marks 10 years of Comedy Portuguese, I’ll probably keep it simple and treat myself to a nice Portuguese meal and a glass of port wine. A small personal celebration for a decade of memories. But from my view, we can celebrate all year long haha!
Thank you so much Steve for allowing us the opportunity to go beyond the tracks with this interview!
In Closing
As Comedy Portuguese commemorates 10 years, the release of this album is more than just a creative milestone—it’s a way of saying “thank you” to the fans and supporters who have been on this journey from the start. Whether you’re laughing along with the humour, reminiscing over nostalgic lyrics, or feeling deeply moved by the personal tracks, this album has something to offer everyone.
Make sure to check out the album on all music platforms such as YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Apple Music, Amazon music and Spotify. Just search for “Ben Fate 10 Years Strong” and your ears will thank you! 😉 Also don’t forget to follow Comedy Portuguese on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), SoundCloud, and Cameo.
The past decade is not just a reflection of effort or artistry, but of the connections made along the way. As the celebration continues through music, shows, and shared moments, Comedy Portuguese reminds us all to embrace joy, culture, and the stories that unite us. Here’s to 10 years Comedy Portuguese —and many more to come!
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga
