Angélique Kidjo: Voice of Diversity, Freedom and Dignity

Angélique Kidjo is a 4-time Grammy Award winner, singer, songwriter, actress, and human rights activist. She was born on July 14, 1960 in Benin to a loving family, and surrounded by music and dance. She grew up listening to both Beninese traditional music and international music. By the age of six, Angélique was already performing on stage with her mother’s theatre troupe, and was beloved by audiences. Ms. Kidjo was lucky to be born in such a broad-minded family. Her parents encouraged free thinking and speech at home, and believed in the power of an education. This nurtured her self-confidence and fearless spirit. Ms. Kidjo published her memoir, Spirit Rising: My Life, My Music, in 2014 with the foreword written by the Most Reverend Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. The book recounts her childhood experiences, dangerous escape to France, and the many obstacles she had to overcome to pursue her music dream. Angélique Kidjo is multi-lingual, being fluent in French, English, Fon, Yoruba, and Gen, and sings in several languages. She views the world as a big community. There are no boundaries to the creativity and humanity of this African sensation, as she strives to unite the world through music. Her inspirational messages and efforts to promote equality for all was recognized and was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2002. Using music, the universal language of humanity, she hopes to better the lives of her fellow Africans, along with the cultural differences in the world. Her soulful voice resonates with people’s hearts, and inspires the common dream of every living being, a peaceful world for all to live in love and dignity.