Angelique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo, a multi-Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, and activist, launched her musical career with ‘Pretty’ in 1981, embarking on a path celebrated for fusing diverse styles and advocating for women’s and girls’ empowerment. After relocating to Paris in 1983 to pursue music, she became the front singer for Jasper van ‘t Hof’s Euro-African jazz/rock band Pili Pili in 1985, releasing three studio albums. Her solo album, ‘Parakou’, garnered recognition in Paris, leading to a record deal with Island Records in 1991. That same year, her first album for Island Records, ‘Logozo’, impressively reached number one on the Billboard World Albums chart.

Her album ‘Eve’ (2014), dedicated to African women, debuted at number one on the Billboard World Music chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album. Kidjo continued her Grammy success with ‘Angélique Kidjo Sings with the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg’ in 2015, which also earned a Grammy. That same year, she received the prestigious Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum, followed by the Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International in 2016. In 2018, she released ‘Remain in Light’, a re-imagination of Talking Heads’ iconic album.

Her recent accolades include the Polar Music Prize in 2023, and she will be the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025.