Angélique Kidjo

Origin

Uidá, Benin

Genres

world music, afro-pop, soul, jazz

Biography

Angélique Kidjo is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, director, and producer born in Ouidah, Benin. Raised in a highly creative environment—with a mother who was a choreographer and theater director and a music-enthusiastic father—she began performing on stage in her childhood, joining theater troupes and, later, the musical group Kidjo Brothers Band alongside her siblings.

Throughout her prolific international career, Kidjo has established important connections with Brazilian music. In 2009, she participated in the Back 2 Black Festival in Brazil, where she shared the stage with Bahian singer Margareth Menezes to perform hits such as "Shango". Her discography also navigates influences from Brazilian culture, notably featuring albums like Black Ivory Soul and Oyaya!, as well as reinterpretations that incorporate elements of samba and Brazilian popular music, engaging in a dialogue with major names of the global scene.

Discography

• Pretty (1981)
• Ewa Ka Djo (Let's Dance) (1985)
• Parakou (1989)
• Batonga (1991)
• Logozo (1991)
• Ayé (1993)
• Fifa (1996)
• Wombo Lombo (1996)
• Fifa (4 Track Sampler) (1996)
• Oremi (1998)
• Angélique Kidjo And Jean Hébrail – Battu (The Beggar's Revolt) - Original Score (2000)
• Black Ivory Soul (2001)
• Oyaya! (2004)
• Conga Habanera (2004)
• Djin Djin (2007)
• Mysterious Ways (2008)
• Õÿö (2010)
• Spirit Rising (Live From Guest Street) (2012)
• Eve (2013)
• Angélique Kidjo With The Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg – Sings (2015)
• Remain In Light (2018)
• Celia (2019)
• Philippe Cohen Solal feat. Mo Laudi & Angélique Kidjo – Afro Bolero (2020)
• Mother Nature (2021)
• Mother Nature (feat. Sting) (2021)
• Philip Glass, Filharmonie Brno, Dennis Russell Davies, Angélique Kidjo, Christian Schmitt – Symphony No. 12 "Lodger" (2022)
• Queen of Sheba (2022)
• Hope!! (2026)
• The Music Of Angélique Kidjo