Artists

Angelique Kidjo was born in Benin . Her mother was a successful weaver as well as running her own theatre troupe. Kidjo was brought up in a truly African environment, full of humour and festivities. She knew the divinatory power of ‘throwing the bones’ and the need to make offerings to Shango, the god of lightning, or to Legba, goddess of hearth and home. But as she grew up, she also listened to James Brown, Johnny Hallyday, the Beatles and Dalida.

During the 80s, Angelique Kidjo moved to France . She spent several years there working with Afro-American musicians, in particular the saxophonist Brandford Marsalis. She then moved to New York , where she now lives. From her viewpoint in Brooklyn , Kidjo took a good look at the Americas before plunging in with the fervour and flexibility which characterize her.

Today, Angelique Kidjo is an international phenomenon and every appearance is a great event! Throughout her career, she has collaborated with international artists such as Santana, Peter Gabriel and Gilberto Gil. Her unique, soulful musical style has led to three Grammy Award nominations. The texture of her music is a mixture of the African tradition of her childhood in Benin and elements of R’n B, funk, and jazz, as well as European and South American influences.