Episode notes
(Photo: Daniel Speer)
In a career that’s spanned several decades, Angélique Kidjo has, through her music, personified what it means to be a citizen of the world. There’s Benin, the country where she was born and raised. And France, where she first started playing gigs. And these days, New York City, the place where she hangs her hat.
What makes Angélique Kidjo’s music sound uniquely like Angélique Kidjo? It’s partly because she’s a musical genius, but it’s also because she is a true ambassador. She’s one of the most brilliant and delightful people there is.
Earlier this year, Kidjo released Hope!! — it’s her first record in five years, and it features guest appearances from Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Nile Rodgers, and more.
Angélique Kidjo joined us to talk about the new album and what makes her a hopeful person. She also chatted with us about why she moved to France to continue pursuing music and why she dedicated her 4th Grammy award to afrobeats artist Burna Boy.
In this episode...
Guests
- Angélique Kidjo
About the show
Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.
Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.
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