Angélique Kidjo

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About Angélique Kidjo

Shooting to international success with the release of her chart-topping 1991 album ‘Logozo’, Angélique Kidjo is an energetic, creative force in world music. The five-time Grammy Award winner pairs her unique multilingual fusion of Afrobeat, pop, jazz, reggae, and various African traditions with collaborators who span across different music genres, from Philip Glass and the Kronos Quartet to Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, Dr John, John Legend and Ziggy Marley.

Kidjo left her native Benin for Parisin the 1980s, emerging as a backing vocalist for local bands. She later recorded a series of studio albums for Island Records throughout the 90s (including ‘Ayé’ in 1994 and ‘Oremi’ in 1998), followed by a vibrant trilogy that explored gospel, Brazilian and Latin music.She often weaves her deep-rooted Beninese and West African heritage through out her recordings, from 2007’s star-studded ‘Djin Djin’ to 2014’s culturally rich ‘Eve’, which earned Grammy Awards.

The singer-songwriter is also known for her advocacy, previously serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, campaigning for OXFAM, and establishing the Batonga Foundation to support higher education initiatives and entrepreneurial mentorship programs for young women in Benin and other West African nations.

Kidjo’s first album of all-original material in seven years, ‘Mother Nature’, debuted in 2021. The track list featured guest appearances from jazztronica duo Blue Lab Beats, Yemi Alade, Salif Keita, Lionel Loueke, Ghetto Boy, and more. Her leading track, ‘Do Yourself’ with Burna Boy, was later nominated for a Grammy Award. Kidjo performed at the Tokyo 2020 Games Opening Ceremony the same year, and Time magazine included her on their 100 Most Influential People in the World list.

Who influenced Angélique Kidjo’s music?

The international singer was inspired by various music, from African artists like Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba to the rock, pop, and soul of Jimi Hendrix, Santana, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin.

Where was Angélique Kidjo born?

Kidjo was born in Ouidah, a coastal city in the West African country of Benin, and is the daughter of actress, dancer, and theatrical producer Yvonne Kidjo.

What language does Angélique Kidjo sing in?

Kidjo is fluent in five languages: Fon, French, Yorùbá, Gen and English!She sings in all of them alongside the personal language she created, which includes words that serve as song titles such as ‘Batonga’.

Where did Angélique Kidjo study?

The singer-songwriterinitiallyplanned to become a human rights lawyer butinstead studied music at the CIM- a reputable jazz school in Paris – while working various day jobs to pay for her tuition. Here, Kidjo met musician and producer Jean Hebrail, with whom she composed most of her music and married in 1987.