Angélique Kidjo is a celebrated Beninese musician known for her powerful voice and dynamic performances.
Kidjo married French musician Jean Hébrail in 1987 and has a daughter named Naima.
Kidjo is fluent in five languages and often incorporates them into her music, showcasing her cultural heritage.
Biography
Early Life
Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo was born on July 14, 1960, in Ouidah, French Dahomey, now known as Benin. She hails from a musical family; her father was a musician and her mother a choreographer and theatre director. Growing up, Kidjo was immersed in the rich sounds of Yoruba and Beninese traditional music, as well as international icons like Miriam Makeba and Jimi Hendrix. By the age of six, she was already performing with her mother's theatre troupe, and as a teenager, she gained recognition with her rendition of Makeba's "Les Trois Z," which was played on national radio. At 20, she recorded her debut album, "Pretty," which launched her career across West Africa. However, political turmoil in Benin prompted her to move to Paris in 1983 to pursue her music career independently.
Career
Kidjo's career is marked by her unique blend of genres, including jazz, zouk, gospel, and world music. She has released numerous acclaimed albums, such as "Djin Djin," "Eve," and "Mother Nature," showcasing her versatility and cultural roots. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including Alicia Keys, Bono, and Burna Boy. Kidjo's contributions to music have earned her five Grammy Awards and the prestigious Polar Music Prize. Notably, she made history as the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
Personal Life and Activism
In addition to her musical achievements, Kidjo is a passionate activist. She married French musician Jean Hébrail in 1987, and they have a daughter, Naima. Kidjo's memoir, "Spirit Rising: My Life, My Music," published in 2014, reflects her journey and advocacy for freedom and dignity. Her influence extends beyond music; she has received numerous accolades, including the Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International and recognition as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2021. Kidjo continues to inspire through her art and activism, advocating for the rights of people everywhere.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
HOPE!!2026
- 1.Bando3:17
- 2.Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?)3:04
- 3.No Stopping Us2:21
- 4.Fall on Me3:07
- 5.Oyaya3:26
- 6.Superwoman2:51
- 7.I’m on Fire2:38
- 8.You Can3:16
- 9.Kakua3:28
- 10.Sunlight to My Soul3:25
- 11.For Me3:22
- 12.Big Heart3:24
- 13.Jerusalema5:29
- 14.Joy2:50
- 15.Nadi Balance3:16
- 16.Malaïka3:45
Live at the 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival2023
Tracklist not collected yet.
Africa Sings2022
- 1.Senye1:43
- 2.Three Ifé Songs: Olodumare7:56
- 3.Three Ifé Songs: Yemandja6:13
- 4.Three Ifé Songs: Oshumare5:58
- 5.Black, Brown & Beige: Black8:23
- 6.Black, Brown & Beige: Brown7:17
- 7.Black, Brown & Beige: Beige5:20
- 8.Symphonische Gesänge, Op.20: Song From Dixieland3:22
- 9.Symphonische Gesänge, Op.20: Song Of The Cotton Picker3:18
- 10.Symphonische Gesänge, Op.20: Dead Brown Girl2:24
- 11.Symphonische Gesänge, Op.20: Bad Man2:26
- 12.Symphonische Gesänge, Op.20: Disillusion2:32
- 13.Symphonische Gesänge, Op.20: African Dance1:23
- 14.Symphonische Gesänge, Op.20: Arabesque2:45
Queen of Sheba2022
- 1.Ahan4:05
- 2.Eyin3:58
- 3.Omije7:30
- 4.Ogbo4:19
- 5.Alikama5:40
- 6.Ife5:53
- 7.Obinrin5:34
Mother Nature2021
- 1.Choose Love2:31
- 2.Dignity3:16
- 3.Africa, One of a Kind3:09
- 4.Mother Nature2:59
- 5.Do Yourself4:03
- 6.Meant for Me3:07
- 7.Omon Oba2:04
- 8.Free & Equal3:09
- 9.Fired Up3:11
- 10.Take It or Leave It2:51
- 11.Mycelium3:49
- 12.One Africa (Indépendance Cha‐Cha)3:19
- 13.Flying High2:54
Celia2019
- 1.Cucala3:20
- 2.La vida es un carnaval4:33
- 3.Sahara4:37
- 4.Baila Yemaya2:55
- 5.Toro mata4:30
- 6.Elegua3:06
- 7.Quimbara4:34
- 8.Bemba colorá3:45
- 9.Oya Diosa3:27
- 10.Yemaya1:37
Remain in Light2018
- 1.Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)3:50
- 2.Crosseyed and Painless / Lady5:29
- 3.The Great Curve4:08
- 4.Once in a Lifetime5:49
- 5.Houses in Motion4:33
- 6.Seen and Not Seen3:04
- 7.Listening Wind6:02
- 8.The Overload3:29
- 9.The Great Curve4:10
Sings2015
- 1.Malaika3:33
- 2.Ominira3:52
- 3.Kelele3:37
- 4.Fifa4:33
- 5.Otishe4:03
- 6.Bahia3:32
- 7.Petite fleur2:28
- 8.Samba pa ti3:49
- 9.Nanae4:18
- 10.Naima3:50
- 11.Loloye4:15
Eve2014
- 1.M'Baamba (Kenyan Song)3:40
- 2.Shango Wa3:49
- 3.Eva3:22
- 4.Interlude: Agbabe0:21
- 5.Bomba3:44
- 6.Hello3:28
- 7.Blewu2:50
- 8.Kamoushou3:13
- 9.Kulumbu3:43
- 10.Interlude: Kletedjan0:22
- 11.Ebile3:02
- 12.Awalole3:39
- 13.Bana2:46
- 14.Orisha3:26
- 15.Interlude: Wayi0:45
- 16.Cauri2:41
Spirit Rising2012
- 1.Tumba4:11
- 2.Afrika4:17
- 3.Redemption Song3:34
- 4.Agolo4:28
- 5.Gimme Shelter3:57
- 6.Malaika3:28
- 7.Summertime4:05
- 8.Batonga3:32
- 9.Pearls4:58
- 10.Kelele3:36
- 11.Move on Up3:54
- 12.I Think U R a Contra5:22
- 13.Lonlon Ravel's Bolero4:14
- 14.Monfe Ran E3:48
- 15.Senamou3:25
- 16.N'Yin Wan Nou We4:20
iTunes Live From SoHo2010
- 1.AtchaHoun2:08
- 2.Afirika5:06
- 3.Petite fleur3:19
- 4.Kelele3:40
- 5.Malaika3:32
- 6.Batonga4:06
Õÿö2010
- 1.Zelie2:03
- 2.Samba pa ti3:38
- 3.Move on Up3:46
- 4.Lakutshona llanga2:16
- 5.I’ve Got Dreams to Remember3:52
- 6.Kelele3:42
- 7.Baby, I Love You3:10
- 8.Dil main chuppa ke pyar ka3:50
- 9.Petite fleur2:19
- 10.Afia4:13
- 11.Cold Sweat4:03
- 12.Out of Africa3:08
- 13.Mbube4:29
- 14.Atcha houn1:37
- 15.You Can Count on Me3:10
- 16.Agbalagba2:26
Djin Djin2007
Tracklist not collected yet.
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Angélique Kidjo2005
Tracklist not collected yet.
Oyaya!2004
Tracklist not collected yet.
Black Ivory Soul2002
Tracklist not collected yet.
Keep On Moving: The Best of Angélique Kidjo2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
Oremi1998
Tracklist not collected yet.
Fifa1996
Tracklist not collected yet.
Ayé1994
Tracklist not collected yet.
Africa Fete '941994
Tracklist not collected yet.
Logozo1991
Tracklist not collected yet.
Parakou1990
Tracklist not collected yet.
Afro Bolero2020
Tracklist not collected yet.
Batonga1991
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Island Records
Achievements
- Award
- Champions of the Earth
- Award
- OkayAfrica 100 Women
- Award
- Commander of the National Order of Benin
- Award
- Danish Music Awards
- Award
- MOBO Awards
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album
- Award
- Kora Awards
- Award
- All Africa Music Award for Best African Contemporary
- Award
- All Africa Music Award for Best Female Artiste in Western Africa
- Award
- BBC 100 Women
- Award
- Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Award
- Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Award
- Officer of Arts and Letters
- Award
- Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
- Award
- Medal of the City of Paris
- Award
- Time 100
- Award
- honorary doctor of the Berklee College of Music
- Award
- Polar Music Prize
- Award
- Honorary doctor of the Catholic University of Louvain
- Award
- Officer of the Ordre de Mérite du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
- Award
- Crystal Award
- Award
- Ambassador of Conscience Award
Groups
- Band Aid 30current
- We Are Family Collectivecurrent
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Angelique Kidjo, Angelique Kido, Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo
Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo is a Beninese musician, actress, and activist. Kidjo has won five Grammy Awards and a Polar Music Prize. She has collaborated with artists including Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, John Legend, Philip Glass, Bono, Yo-Yo Ma, and Burna Boy. She is the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2021. In 2021, Time magazine included her in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Kidjo is fluent in five languages: Fon, French, Yorùbá, Gen (Mina) and English. She sings in all of them, and she also has her own personal language, which includes words that serve as song titles such as "Batonga". Kidjo often uses Benin's traditional Zilin vocal technique and vocalese.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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