Angélique Kidjo: The Voice of Gender Equality and African Music

Angélique Kidjo is a prominent African figure whose presence extends from the TV screen as a singer or an actress to among the masses as an activist. She is known as one of the most influential African artists with the epithet Africa's premier diva. Throughout her career, Kidjo has displayed her fiery artistry and unwavering commitment to social justice. On one hand, Angélique Kidjo is the African artist with the most Grammy Awards and on the other hand, she is an advocate for women in Africa, working with UNICEF. She has been a magnanimous presence on the international stage for decades. With her powerful voice, she has been preaching the African heritage and misfortune of African women.

Angélique Kidjo was born on July 14, 1960, in Ouidah, Benin into a culturally rich family. With her mother, a choreographer and performer, and her father, an amateur musician, she grew up in an artistic environment. From her childhood, she had a spark for music and her family nurtured that spark by providing her appropriate surroundings. Her inauguration to the stage took place at a young age. She performed with her mother's troupe and this exposure sharpened her skill and incited a passion for stage. Her style of music is rooted in her familiarity with a variety of musical genres, including traditional Beninese music, Afrobeat, jazz, and funk.

Following the political unrest in Benin, Kidjo had to leave her homeland and move to Paris. This was the biggest turning point of her life, moving to Paris paved the way for her to become the leading cultural and humanitarian figure of her time. In Paris, she became resolute in pursuing music, despite her initial plan to become a human rights lawyer, and attended CIM, a reputed jazz school. During her studies at CIM, she was able to immerse herself in the pool of diverse and multifarious ideas and stimulants. Anything that she came across, she absorbed it into her own worldview and grew as a human. Kidjo had multiple day jobs as she had to pay for her tuition. This allowed her to experience the bared-down form of life, society, and culture by herself.

While living in Benin, Kidjo had already been playing in a band and touring all over West Africa. Her music was featured in the national radio of Benin. After moving to Paris with her stern resolve, she carried on her singing and making music. She started as a backup singer for local bands while working on day jobs.

In 1985, she became the leading singer of a popular Euro-African jazz/rock band Pili Pili. With this band, she started her experimentation with Jazz and funk music. Kidjo had always been in touch with her African roots, and that was evident in her style of music as well. She incorporated Afrobeat with jazz and funk. The music soon brought her fame in Paris and she began to rise as one of the most popular live performers.

.

Kidjo has collaborated with many young artists and worked on projects that showcase the relevance of African tradition in the modern music scene. Her music encourages the younger generation to embrace their roots and explore the ever-expanding artistic horizon.

For her 2014 album "Eve,"  she earned a  Grammy award which was a tribute to the women of Africa.

Kidjo is a powerful voice for African women and girls. Through her music, she has always lent her solidarity and compassion to women around the globe. She used her platform to address issues such as poverty, education, and gender equality. She has been working with UNICEF since 2002 as a Goodwill Ambassador. Under UNICEF, she has participated in various initiatives and worked incessantly to improve the quality of life of children and women in Africa.

Her music and activism both served as a means for raising social and cultural awareness. One of her major concerns was the lack of education among African girls. She knew very well that her dream of empowering women could not be realized without resolving this issue. Keeping that in mind, she founded the Batonga Foundation in 2006 with the sole purpose of educating African women.

The core objective of the Batonga Foundation is to provide support for the most overlooked girls in West Africa and empower them to become the symbol of change and prosperity in their communities and their own lives. This foundation worked relentlessly to provide scholarships, create educational institutes, and promote awareness in communities regarding the importance of girls' education. With Batonga Foundation and UNICEF, she dedicated herself to the pursuit of removing barriers for women so that they can gain equal privilege and opportunity in the community.

Our society has been riddled with issues and setbacks for the past century. A sustainable environment is one of those and Kidjo has been a prominent advocate of ensuring a sustainable environment. By making this planet a haven for everyone, it might be possible to break the cycle of endless suffering that humanity has been enduring.

Angélique Kidjo is much more than a musician, she is much more than a humanitarian activist. With the history and heritage of centuries old African culture and people, she has reflected in every aspect of her own life. By embracing who she is and where she belongs, she was able to leave a profound impact on the African community. Beyond her achievements and commitment to social justice, she was an African and wore her identity with pride.