Angélique Kidjo

Since achieving international success with 1991's Logozo, West African singer Angélique Kidjo has become a fixture of global music, pairing her unique multilingual fusion of Afrobeat, pop, jazz, reggae, and African traditions with musical collaborators ranging from Philip Glass and Alicia Keys to Dr. John and Branford Marsalis. Her adventurous spirit and collaborative nature are balanced by her Beninese and West African heritage, which has remained the through-line in her recordings, from 2007's star-studded Djin Djin to 2014's culturally rich Eve -- both earned Grammy Awards. Also known for her advocacy, Kidjo has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and created the educational Batonga Foundation. In 2018, she covered Talking Heads' Remain in Light album; 2019's Celia was a tribute to Celia Cruz. The all-original Mother Nature appeared in 2021, followed by the collaborative project Queen of Sheba with Ibrahim Maalouf. In 2026, Kidjo delivered her 19th album, HOPE!!.