Ang茅lique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo (born July 14, 1960) is a Beninese-French singer-songwriter, actress and activist noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. Kidjo has won five Grammy Awards and is a 2023 Polar Music Prize laureate.
In 2007, Time magazine called Kidjo "Africa's premier diva." She performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2021. On September 15, 2021, Time included her in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Kidjo is fluent in five languages: Fon, French, Yor霉b谩, 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.
Kidjo celebrated her 40th anniversary as a musician in 2023, commencing at the Royal Albert Hall on the 17 November 2023 and proceeding with a global tour celebrating the same. The show featured special guests, including Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, Senegalese superstar Youssou N鈥橠our, Afropop pioneer Stonebwoy, and British singer-songwriter Laura Mvula. The full concert was recorded and released as a pay-per-view event through On Air.
Ang茅lique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo (born July 14, 1960) is a Beninese-French singer-songwriter, actress and activist noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. Kidjo has won five Grammy Awards and is a 2023 Polar Music Prize laureate.
In 2007, Time magazine called Kidjo "Africa's premier diva." She performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2021. On September 15, 2021, Time included her in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Kidjo is fluent in five languages: Fon, French, Yor霉b谩, 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.
Kidjo celebrated her 40th anniversary as a musician in 2023, commencing at the Royal Albert Hall on the 17 November 2023 and proceeding with a global tour celebrating the same. The show featured special guests, including Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, Senegalese superstar Youssou N鈥橠our, Afropop pioneer Stonebwoy, and British singer-songwriter Laura Mvula. The full concert was recorded and released as a pay-per-view event through On Air.