Angélique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo, the five-time Grammy Award-winning artist, is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of our time. Renowned for her exceptional voice, vibrant stage presence, and mastery of multiple languages and cultures, Kidjo has established herself as a force in the international music scene. Time Magazine named her one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2021 and "Africa’s premier diva", while Forbes ranked her as one of the most powerful figures in Africa. She is also the recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious "Polar Music Prize" in 2023 and the "Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award" in 2016.

Born in Benin, Kidjo draws from the rich traditions of West African music while seamlessly blending elements of American R&B, funk, jazz, and Latin American rhythms. Throughout her career, she has released sixteen albums, each showcasing her unique ability to bridge cultural divides and push the boundaries of musical genres. Her latest album, Mother Nature (2021), is a groundbreaking project that unites Kidjo with the next generation of African artists, spanning Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, and alt-R&B. The album is a celebration of humanity’s interconnectedness and a call for global solidarity in the face of climate change and social justice issues. As Kidjo herself states, “This album is a love letter to Mother Earth and all the values we hold dear: truth, trust, love, connection.”

Her genre-defying performances sure know to captivate an audience, whether she’s headlining sold-out concerts at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall or the Royal Albert Hall, or collaborating with symphonies and orchestras around the world. Her collaborations with renowned artists, such as Philip Glass, and her reinterpretations of classics like Remain in Light by Talking Heads and the music of Celia Cruz, demonstrate her unwavering commitment to both honoring and reinventing musical legacies.

In addition to her musical achievements, Kidjo has built a reputation as a tireless advocate for children’s rights. She founded the Batonga Foundation, which focuses on the education and empowerment of young girls in Africa, and has worked closely with UNICEF and Oxfam.