Angélique Kidjo by Erwan Blaszka
WRITTEN BY DIANE WARREN, PRODUCED BY SHIZZI, AND FEATURING THE SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
Named one of the most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine, music icon, philanthropist, 5-time Grammy Award winner and 2023 Polar Music Prize recipient Angélique Kidjo opens a new chapter in her storied career with “Sunlight To My Soul” out today through Parlophone. The song is written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren (“Only Love Can Hurt Like This,” “Rhythm of the Night,” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”). In collaboration with Warren and rising Nigerian afrobeats producer Shizzi (Ed Sheeran and Fireboy DML’s “Peru”), the song blends African rhythms and sounds enhanced by the captivating and inspirational voices of the Soweto Gospel Choir.
This is the first time Kidjo has collaborated with the 15-time Oscar nominee, Honorary Oscar recipient, Grammy, EMMY, and two-time Golden Globe winner Diane Warren. On “Sunlight To My Soul,” Warren’s lyrics and music infuse courage and optimism, while Kidjo’s one-of-a-kind voice builds a dramatic crescendo, enveloping the audience in warmth and joy. The single is paired with an accompanying video that enhances the theme of inspiration with feel-good dances and beautiful relationships. Featuring dance circles in open fields, colorful electric guitars, and many warm embraces, the video complements the song’s larger-than-life feelings of love.
As a performer, her striking voice, stage presence and fluency in multiple cultures and languages have earned respect from her peers and expanded her following across national borders. Kidjo has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. Her 2021 album, Mother Nature, features collaborations with young creators of West African music, Afrobeats, Afro-pop, dancehall, hip-hop, and alt-R&B, such as Burna Boy, Sampa The Great, Yemi Alade, and Earthgang. Showing off the range in her music, other recent collaborations include works with Jimmy Buffett, Philip Glass, Davido, Yo-Yo Ma, as well as her new African Symphony project with famed arranger Derrick Hodge, which had its US debut at the Kennedy Center earlier this year. No matter what type of collaboration she is exploring, her visionary work always marries deep musical tradition with forward-thinking innovation.
Kidjo’s illustrious career includes the Grammy-winning albums Mother Nature (2021), Celia (2019), Sings with the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg (2015), EVE (2014), and DJIN DJIN (2007). As well as her other 11 albums, including her acclaimed 2018 interpretation of The Talking Heads’ Remain in Light and her memoir, Spirit Rising: My Life, My Music, which also garnered critical acclaim.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
* with the Philadelphia Orchestra
^ with Meshell Ndegeocello
7/14 – Carhaix-Plouguer, France @ Les Vieilles Charrues 2024
7/20 – Stuttgart, Germany @ jazzopen 2024 with Lizz Wright
7/24 – Val de Bagnes, Switzerland @ Salle des Combins
7/25 – Marciac, France @ Jazz in Marciac
7/30 – Trondheim, Norway @ Borggården i Trondheim
8/2 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center *
8/7 – Denver, CO @ Denver Botanic Gardens ^
8/8 – Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia Festival ^
8/10 – San Jose, CA @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest
8/11 – Telluride, CO @ Telluride Jazz Festival
8/25 – Vienna, Austria @ Afrika Tage
8/29 – Helsinki, Finland @ Helsinki Festival
9/4 – Duisburg, Germany @ Landschaftspark Nord – Gießhalle
9/15 – Brétigny-sur-Orge, France @ Le Fete de l’Humanite
9/20 – 9/22 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil @ Rock In Rio
10/6 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg District @ Rockhal
10/12 – Voiron, France @ Le Grand Angle
10/13 – Marseille, France @ Fiesta des Suds / Esplanade du J4
10/20 – Katowice, Poland @ NOSPR
10/22 – Troyes, France @ Les Nuits de Champagne
10/24 – The Hague, Netherlands @ Paard Van Troje (PAARD)
11/2 – New York, NY @ Carnegie Hall
11/13 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre
3/19/2025 – Montreal, QC, Canada @ Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
3/20/2025 – Montreal, QC, Canada @ Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
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