New Frequencies Fest ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO
“the undisputed Queen of African Music” (Daily Telegraph)
In an expansive career marked as much by extraordinary musical achievement as passionate advocacy and philanthropy for her homeland of Africa, Angélique Kidjo has found many ways to celebrate the rich, enlightening truth about the continent’s women beyond the media spotlight. Her accolades include a 20-year discography, thousands of concerts around the world, and being named “Africa’s premier diva” (Time Magazine) and “the undisputed Queen of African Music” (Daily Telegraph). Her star-studded 2008 recording Djin Djin won a Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album and her last studio recording, Oyo, nominated in the same category, has enjoyed a long history of crossover collaborations with greats from the jazz and pop worlds—including Carlos Santana, Bono, John Legend, Josh Groban, Peter Gabriel, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Roy Hargrove, and Alicia Keys. Her most recent album, Eve, named for her own mother as well as the mythical “mother of all living,” is a tribute to the African women she grew up with and a testament to the pride and strength that hide behind the smile that masks everyday life. Kidjo’s Eve has just been nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best World Music Album”, with the 57th Annual Grammy Awards being held on Feb 8th, a day after her performance at YBCA.