This week on AfrobeatRadio Akenataa Hammagadji speaks with Beninoise international artist Angelique Kidjo. Ms. Kidjo spoke with us about her new project Oyo. Ms. Kidjo is known for her electric performances and drawing larger audiences the world over.

Angelique Kidjo in AfrobeatRadio Part 1 from AfrobeatRadio on Vimeo.

Born in Benin (West Africa), Angelique Kidjo is a Grammy award-winning music recording artist deemed “Africa’s premier diva” by Time Magazine. Kidjo’s internationally acclaimed repertoire includes collaborations with various recording artists such as Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, Branford Marsalis, Joss Stone, and many more. Known for her dynamic and uplifting music, she has translated her distinctive work in the arts to that of philanthropy; by promoting education for girls in Africa through her foundation, Batonga and as a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador Kidjo travels the world to inspire and empower.

Written by Akenataa Hammagaadji.

Angelique Kidjo on AfrobeatRadio Part 2 from AfrobeatRadio on Vimeo.

Akenaata Hammagaadji is an African music expert and cultural critic. He is the radio host of First World Music; an African music programme broadcast from WVKR. His insightful music reviews, which goes beyond music into cultural dissections, can be found in his weekly First World Music Newsletter, now a blog on afrobeatradio.net