New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Time Magazine has named Angélique Kidjo to their list of 100 Most Influential People that was revealed today. "The grace she exudes toward her fellow creators, and to humankind, is a reflection of her vibrancy, kindness, and generosity. Angélique is as real as they come," says Alicia Keys, in her introduction of Kidjo to the list. The acknowledgment is the latest in a series of major accolades and appearances in what has been a tremendous year for this "towering figure of cross-cultural music" (New Yorker).
In June, Kidjo released Mother Nature, her first album of original music in 7 years, to widespread international praise including features with the New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR and beyond, and TV appearances on Amanpour and Tamron Hall. The album represents the remarkable influence that Kidjo has had on younger generations of musicians, and features collaborations with a host of budding stars including Burna Boy, Sampa The Great, Yemi Alade, Shungudzo, Ghetto Boy, Earthgang and others. Together they address a host of complex issues, from political upheaval to the destruction of the environment, that in Kidjo's hands transform into music that is radiantly joyful. Watch the video for the title track here.
Kidjo also represented the continent of Africa during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Opening Ceremony, singing "
Imagine" alongside John Legend,
Alejandro Sanz and Keith Urban.
Key upcoming performances include the 24-hour Global Citizen Festival broadcast event on
September 25, where Kidjo will take the stage from Paris. Then on November 5 she will headline Carnegie Hall with a special, one-night-only presentation featuring guests to be announced, entitled: Mother Nature: Songs for New York and the World Beyond. See below for Kidjo's full 2021-2022 international touring itinerary.
Praise For Mother Nature:
"Kidjo serves up a feast of the most sublime sounds found in the
Black diaspora" - Pitchfork
"Irresistible beats carry serious messages" - NY Times
"Angelique Kidjo is a towering figure of cross-cultural music" - New Yorker
"[Angelique Kidjo] is THE QUEEN, who has been on the forefront of bringing Africa and African music to the world, reconnecting our diaspora through music for several decade" - Ebro Darden / Apple Music
"Infused with a vigor that only she possesses - the kind that shares a significant message even as the listener is called to just dance or sing along" - Okay Africa
"Empowerment, unity and joy combine to catchy effect, with the exceptional Kidjo now leader of a new generation" - The Observer
"The veteran Benin singer emerges as leader of a new generation of African musicians in this joyful blend of new and old sounds" - The Guardian
"Sparkling" - Financial Times
"Infectious…the rhythms are a combination of modern and traditional fused with state-of-the-art production values. Kidjo's impassioned voice evokes memories of the great Miriam Makeba" - Sunday Times
"It's a groovy, catchy, danceable, joyous album in the face of worldwide injustice and turmoil" - Brooklyn Vegan
Tour dates:
Thursday September 23, 2021: Théâtre de Cornouaille in Quimper, France
Sunday
September 26, 2021: Palace of Arts and Congress in Vannes, France
Thursday September 30, 2021: Dubai Expo 2020 opening ceremony in Dubai, UAE
Friday October 1, 2021: Moravian Autumn Festival in Brno, Czech Republic
Sunday October 3, 2021: Salle Gerard
Philippe in Bonneuil sur Marne, France
Saturday October 23, 2021: Flynn Center For The Performing Arts in Burlington, VT
Friday October 29, 2021: Remain in Light at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA
Friday November 5, 2021: Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall in New York, NY
Wednesday November 17, 2021: Rosey Concert Hall in Rolle, Switzerland
Friday November 19, 2021: Kilden Performing Arts Centre in Kristiansand, Norway
Saturday November 20, 2021: Bærum Kulturhus in Sandvika, Norway
Thursday November 25, 2021: Hall Vigean in Eysines, France
Saturday November 27, 2021: Festival un Weekend Avec Elles 2021 in Le Garric, France
Tuesday November 30, 2021: The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Saturday December 4, 2021: So Blues Festival in Le Mans, France
Monday December 6, 2021: Wiener Konzerthaus in Bezirk-landstrasse, Austria
Saturday December 18, 2021: Théâtre du Jura in Delémont, Switzerland
Sunday December 12, 2021: Safiko Festival, Reunion Island
Tuesday January 11, 2022: Chateau
Rouge in Annemasse, France
Friday January 14, 2022: Espace Malraux in Joué-lès-tours, France
Saturday January 15, 2022: Theatre Archipelago in Perpignan, France
Saturday January 22, 2022: Rialto Center in Atlanta, GA
Tuesday March 8, 2022: L'Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium
Thursday March 10, 2022: Carre Belle-Feuille in Boulogne-billancourt, France
Friday March 11, 2022: La Faïencerie in Creil, France
Wednesday March 16, 2022: Musikverein in Wien Austria
Thursday March 17, 2022: Festspielhaus St. Pölten in St. Pölten, Austria
Saturday March 19, 2022: Theater of Chelles in Chelles France
Thursday March 24, 2022: Theatre of the Vesinet in Le Vésinet, France
Friday March 25, 2022:
Arsenal in Metz, France
Sunday April 3, 2022: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Scottsdale, Arizona
Saturday April 30, 2022:
Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH
Thursday May 12, 2022: Bass Concert Hall in Austin, TX
Thursday May 26, 2022: Africa Festival in Würzburg, Germany
Saturday June 4, 2022: Theatre Femina in Bordeaux, France
Thursday June 9, 2022: Dresden
Music Festival, Dresden, Germany
Friday June 10, 2022: Abbaye de Saint-Riquier, Saint-Riquier, France
Saturday June 11, 2022: Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris France
https://angeliquekidjo.lnk.to/mother-nature
https://www.kidjo.com/
