Leonel Almeida (born May 17, 1952)) is a Cape Verdean singer. He began his career at the age of 17 and was a member of the group Birds with guitarist and producer Paulino Vieira. He has recorded versions of songs by other groups. Almeida was drafted into the Portuguese army at the age of 20. This experience was a turning point of his life; he became politically aware and began to sing intervention songs.