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Angélique Kidjo

14 July 1960 – present

Angélique Kidjo is a Beninese-French singer, songwriter and activist whose music blends West African traditions with funk, jazz and Latin styles. She has won multiple Grammy Awards, serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and founded the Batonga Foundation to support the education of girls in Africa.

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Life events

Born in Ouidah, Dahomey (now Benin)
14 July 1960

Kidjo was born in Ouidah to a Fon father and a Yoruba mother and began performing as a child with her mother's theatre troupe.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Moved to Paris
1983

She left Benin for Paris, where she studied jazz and joined the group Pili Pili led by Jasper van 't Hof.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Married musician and producer Jean Hébrail
1987

Hébrail, a French musician she met in Paris, became her long-term songwriting collaborator.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relationship ✓
Released the album Logozo on Island Records
1991

Her first release on Chris Blackwell's Island label brought her international attention.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Moved to New York City
c. 1998

Kidjo relocated from Paris to the United States, settling in New York.

Relocation ?
Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
2002

She began working with UNICEF on children's rights and education campaigns across Africa.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Founded the Batonga Foundation
2006

The foundation supports secondary and higher education for girls in Africa.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Won her first Grammy Award, for the album Djin Djin
February 2008

Djin Djin won Best Contemporary World Music Album at the 50th Grammy Awards.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Won the Grammy for Best World Music Album for Celia
January 2020

Her tribute album to Celia Cruz earned her a fourth Grammy Award.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Awarded the Polar Music Prize
2023

Kidjo received the Swedish Polar Music Prize, sharing the year's honours with Chris Blackwell and Arvo Pärt.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓