NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ Razor & Tie) - International music star Angelique Kidjo nabbed her first Grammy Award at 50th annual Grammy Awards ceremony. Kidjo won Best Contemporary World Album for DJIN DJIN, her Razor & Tie Entertainment/Starbucks Entertainment release.
Razor & Tie Co-Owners Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam commented, "Working on Angelique's album with Starbucks has been an amazing experience for Razor & Tie. We are proud to be associated with such a unique work of quality, passion and authenticity. "Ken Lombard, President, Starbucks Entertainment added, "DJIN DJIN is an absolutely magical record and a testament both to the talents of Angelique Kidjo and the power of artistic collaboration. All of us at Starbucks Entertainment are proud to have teamed with Angelique and Razor & Tie to release this great album."
Produced by the legendary Tony Visconti, DJIN DJIN saw the Benin-born Angelique Kidjo partnering with such luminaries as Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, Carlos Santana, Josh Groban, Joss Stone, Ziggy Marley and Branford Marsalis to create an album which is truly global in scope. In her acceptance speech, Kidjo dedicated her award to the "women of Darfur, the women who are fighting every day to give their kids an education. "Kidjo has devoted much of her adult life to global charity work; she is a spokesperson for both OXFAM and UNICEF and recently created her own charity, Batonga. Batonga's main goal is to create a culture that values and supports the secondary education of girls in Africa. Kidjo has long-believed that education is the key to precipitating change in her home continent.
DJIN DJIN received an abundance of critical praise. The Associated Press stated, "Musical collaborations based on mutual respect can elevate both performer's artistry. Angelique Kidjo packs DJIN DJIN with just these kinds of duets from artists...in three words, lush, dense and beautiful", while USA Today said, "the Benin-born singer delivers a thoroughly engaging collection of songs...she spans musical cultures with her mesmerizing vocals...Kidjo seizes your attention and then keeps you riveted. "Last year, Kidjo appeared on CNN, The Tonight Show, The Late Show With David Letterman and The CBS Saturday Early Show.
Later this month, the energetic performer will kick off her first North American headlining tour of the year, immediately followed by more headlining dates in Europe. Last year she wrapped up two legs of Josh Groban's North American tour as his sole support act. Please see below for her upcoming North American itinerary.
Angelique Kidjo on tour:
FEBRUARY
21 Seattle, WA. - Moore Theater
22 Olympia, WA. - Washington Center for the Performing Arts
23 Victoria, BC. - University Centre Auditorium
24 Richmond, BC. - River Rock Casino
28 Dallas, TX. - McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
MARCH
1 Atlanta, GA. - Rialto Theatre at Georgia State University
2 Memphis, TN. - Buckman Performing Arts Center
6 Iowa City, IA. - Hancher Auditorium
8 Tucson, AZ. - Centennial Hall
12 Los Angeles, CA. - Royce Hall at UCLA Center for the Arts
13 Carmel, CA. - Sunset Cultural Center
14 Berkeley, CA. - Zellerbach Auditorium at UC Berkeley
15 Chico, CA. - Laxson Auditorium
17 Edmonton, AB. - Francis Winspear Centre for Music
19 Calgary, AB. - Jack Singer Concert Hall
21 Somerville, MA. - Somerville Theater
22 Somerville, MA. - Somerville Theater
26 North Bethesda, MD. - Music Center at Strathmore
27 Roanoke, VA. - Shaftman Performance Hall at Jefferson
28 Richmond, VA. - Camp Concert Hall at University of Richmond
29 Savannah, GA. - Trustees Theater
31 Annapolis, MD. - Ramshead Onstage
APRIL
2 South Orange, NJ. - South Orange Performing Arts Center
3 Ithaca, NY. - State Theatre
4 Purchase, NY. - PepsiCo Theatre
5 Brooklyn, NY. - Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
6 Philadelphia , PA. - Annenberg Center/Zellerbach Theater
8 Raleigh, NC. - Stewart Theater at NC State University
9 Wilmington, NC. - Kenan Auditorium at UNC Wilmington
