Biography
Angélique Kidjo, born July 14, 1960, in Ouidah, Dahomey (now Benin), is a globally celebrated Beninese-French singer-songwriter, activist, and five-time Grammy Award winner. Raised in a family of artists—her father a musician and her mother a choreographer—Kidjo began performing at age six in her mother's theatre troupe and later sang with her brothers in a rock-R&B band. By her early twenties, she was already a professional singer, recording her first album, 'Pretty,' in 1988, after moving to Paris in 1983 to escape political unrest in Benin. There, she immersed herself in the vibrant Parisian music scene, studying jazz and collaborating with musicians such as Jean Hébrail (her future husband) and Jasper van ’t Hof in the jazz group Pili-Pili.
Kidjo's international breakthrough came in 1991 with a deal from Island Records, launching a career defined by her adventurous fusion of traditional African music with global genres including soul, jazz, reggae, funk, and pop. Her albums—such as 'Oremi,' 'Black Ivory Soul,' 'Oyaya!,' and the Grammy-winning 'Eve'—explore the African diaspora and celebrate African women's resilience, often featuring collaborations with artists and choirs from across the continent. Renowned for her dynamic stage presence and multilingual performances (she sings in Fon, French, Yoruba, Gen, English, and more), Kidjo has become a prominent ambassador for African music and culture, as well as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and activist for women's rights and education.
Her legacy is marked by her role as a bridge between African traditions and the global music scene, earning her comparisons to Miriam Makeba as 'Mama Africa.' Kidjo's influence extends beyond music to humanitarian work, including founding the Batonga Foundation to support girls' education in Africa. She remains a festival favorite and a symbol of Afro-futurism, celebrated for her ability to unite audiences worldwide through her artistry and advocacy.
Fun Facts
- Kidjo is fluent in at least five languages and sings in all of them, often incorporating traditional Beninese vocal techniques and even her own invented language.
- She is the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Kidjo performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
- Her Batonga Foundation is named after her own song 'Batonga' and supports girls' education in Africa.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Miriam Makeba - Major inspiration and stylistic influence; Kidjo began singing Makeba's songs as a child and is often considered her successor as 'Mama Africa.' (Covers of 'Malaika' and other Makeba songs; tribute performances) [1970s–present]
- Her parents (notably her mother Yvonne Kidjo) - Her mother was a choreographer and theatre director, introducing Kidjo to performance and African traditions from an early age. (Early theatre troupe performances) [1960s–1970s]
- James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Santana - Influences from global pop, soul, and rock music, shaping her eclectic style. (Stylistic elements in her fusion albums) [1970s–present]
Key Collaborators
- Jean Hébrail - French composer, producer, bassist, and husband; frequent songwriting and production partner. (Multiple albums including 'Eve', 'Õÿö', 'Sings with the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg') [1990s–present]
- Jasper van ’t Hof - Dutch pianist; co-wrote and performed with Kidjo in the jazz group Pili-Pili. (Pili-Pili albums) [1980s]
- African Women All-Stars (Asa, Dobet Gnahoré, Lura, Trio Teriba) - Collaborative performances celebrating African women's creativity, notably at the Montreux Jazz Festival. (Live performances at Montreux Jazz Festival) [2016, 2023]
- Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg - Collaborated on orchestral versions of her songs. ('Angélique Kidjo Sings with the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg') [2015]
Artists Influenced
- Dobet Gnahoré - Ivorian singer who cites Kidjo as a role model for blending African traditions with contemporary sounds. (Collaborative performances, stylistic influence) [2010s–present]
- Younger African and diaspora artists - Kidjo's advocacy and genre-blending have inspired a new generation of African musicians to embrace their heritage and innovate globally. (Numerous contemporary Afropop and world music releases) [2000s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Uncle K: Lemon Chase | 2025-05-29 | Album |
| African Giant | 2019-07-25 | Album |
| 5th Dimension | 2023-04-28 | Album |
| 5th Dimension | 2023-04-28 | Album |
| Beyond Music Vol. 4 - Social Change | 2025-06-13 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Police (Uncle K: Lemon Chase)
- NA MONEY (feat. The Cavemen. & Angélique Kidjo) (Timeless)
- Police
- Joy
- Love Song to the Earth
- Mama Africa (feat. Angélique Kidjo et Youssou Ndour) (Forever United)
- Agolo (Next Gen)
- Fired Up
- Different (feat. Damian Marley & Angelique Kidjo) (African Giant)
- Let Me Be Great [Feat. Angélique Kidjo] (As Above, So Below)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
angelique kidjo has been played 5 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 11, 2025 | 23:06 | Voodoo Childfrom Putumayo Presents: Putumayo Radio Sampler | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady | |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 00:10 | Houses in Motionfrom Remain in Light | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Oct 16, 2025 | 21:51 | lay lady lay.. | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri | |
| Sep 18, 2025 | 20:16 | Cold Sweatfrom Ãÿö | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri | |
| Sep 15, 2025 | 06:29 | nadi balancefrom single 2025 | The Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall |