On August 30, 2024, Angélique Kidjo, the multi-Grammy Award winner and 2023 Polar Music Prize recipient, released her new single and video "JOY" featuring Afrobeats superstar Davido. This marks their second collaboration, following their work on "NA MONEY" from Davido's 2023 album, Timeless. "JOY," recorded in New York City, showcases their powerful musical bond, blending Yoruba and English lyrics to convey themes of positivity and resilience.
On her newest single, "Sunlight To My Soul" (July 12 - Parlophone), five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo collaborates again with some of the biggest names in music.
Angélique Kidjo’s new official music video for her forthcoming album Mother Nature (June 18/21 | Universal Music Group).
The album’s title track is an anthem for the earth, and arrives with a music video featuring an appearance and vocals from Sting, directed by environmentalist, photographer and director Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The video features fans from three continents, dancing together, to celebrate mother earth and to call for her protection.
“Mother Nature has a way of warning us / A time bomb set on a lost countdown / Do you hear it, will you stop it, won’t you listen?”
— ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO
The new music video from the album Mother Nature. “Africa, One Of A Kind” featuring Mr. Eazi and Salif Keita. Portions of the video were filmed on location in Contonou, Benin and in Mali. It was directed by Drahmas Omofresh of Benin, and the dance featured in the video is called Gogbahoun, which originates from Angélique’s home village of Ouidah.
“Mr Eazi has composed for us a beautiful ode to the African continent! The sound and groove are inspired by contemporary Afrobeats but the song takes its roots in the great tradition of African songwriting. This is why it was so important to have Salif Keita singing his signature melody in the intro. Three generations of musicians are united here to celebrate the future of Africa.”
— ANGELIQUE KIDJO
This new single brings a renewed energy and edge to Angélique Kidjo, who for thirty years has been a creative force, blending genres, generations and cultures together, always with a profound message. Produced by Vtek Da Awesome, “Dignity” is an undeniable punch in the air, reclaiming power, humanity, and—of course—dignity.
Kidjo joined forces with Afropop singer Yemi Alade for this glorious anthem, which was inspired by the youth-led movement to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, aka SARS, an infamously corrupt unit in the Nigerian Police Force.
“Many people think that police brutality only happens in America, but it’s everywhere, ... This song is against brutality, but it’s also about how we need to treat each other with dignity, treat nature with dignity, and treat ourselves with dignity. Because if we can’t see the dignity that Mother Nature gave to all of us, then how can we walk tall”
— ANGELIQUE KIDJO
Dignity - Angélique Kidjo featuring Yemi Alade
Written and composed by Angélique Kidjo, Yemi Alade, Jean Hebrail, Naima Hebrail, Victor Tareware KpoudosuProducer : Victor Tareware KpoudosuPublishing : AYEILE Inc, Effyzzie Music LimitedVideo clip executive production : Slo-Slo℗ 2021 Decca Records France
Angélique Kidjo has unveils the first music video from her just-released and lauded new album Celia (Verve/Universal France). "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" is a vibrant video that captures the joyous spirit of salsa icon Celia Cruz, and features Afrobeat drum pioneer Tony Allen.
“The ten best new albums we heard in April”
— NPR
“4 out of 5 stars. Album of the Month
— The Guardian
La Vida Es Un Carnaval - Angelique Kidjo featuring Tony Allen
Credits: Director: Chris Saunders (Art Bridge / Quad Group)
Executive Producer: Olivier Bassuet (Art Bridge / Quad Group)
Production Manager: Ygal Egry
Cinematographer: Nicolas Desaintquentin (Kinou)
Choreographer: Carmel Loanga 1st AD: Paul Roland-Levy
Dancers: Cindy Emelie & Ashley Biscette
Wardrobe: Isabelle Bardot & Julien Demoulin Make up: Anne Lise Bayard
From the album Remain In Light, an Angelique Kidjo's reinvention of the Talking Heads iconic album. Produced by Jeff Bhasker, the film was created/directed by 25 year old Antoine Paley, a student at Luc Besson's Cité Du Cinema film school.
“In the 1970s, under the dictatorship in my home country of Benin, it was really difficult to find music to listen to from the rest of the world.”
— ANGELIQUE KIDJO
When I went into exile in Paris in 1983, I discovered so much new music, and among them was the song "Once In A Lifetime". Initially, it felt strange to me. People said it was Rock and Roll, but it felt African somehow. When I performed in New York in 1992 at SOB's, David Byrne was the first American artist to come see my show. Many years later, I discovered that Brian Eno and The Talking Heads had been influenced by Fela Kuti and studied John Miller Chernoff’s book African Rhythm and African Sensibility about the power of African music.
"Once In A Lifetime" was released at the start of the Reagan presidency, and you feel the anguish and anger in its lyrics. I feel the same tension in today's political climate. Bringing "Once In A Lifetime" back to the African continent, with the help of superstar producer Jeff Bhasker, Black Panther’s percussionist Magatte Sow and guitarist Dominic James, feels so right today.
