Angélique Kidjo (born on July 14, 1960) is a Grammy Award-winning Beninese … Read Full Bio ↴Angélique Kidjo (born on July 14, 1960) is a Grammy Award-winning Beninese singer, noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos.
Kidjo was born in Ouidah, Benin. Her father is Fon from Ouidah and her mother is Yoruba . She grew up listening to James Brown, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, and Santana.
By the time she was six, Kidjo was performing with her mother's theatre troupe, giving her an early appreciation for traditional music and dance. She started singing in her school band Les Sphinx and found success as a teenager with her adaptation of Miriam Makeba's "Les Trois Z" which played on national radio. She recorded the album Pretty with the Camerounese producer Ekambi Brilliant and her brother Oscar. It featured the songs Ninive, Gbe Agossi and a tribute to the singer Bella Bellow, one of her role models. The success of the album allowed her to tour all over West Africa. Continuing political conflicts in Benin prevented her from being an independent artist in her own country and led her to relocate to Paris in 1982.
While working various day jobs to pay for her tuition, Angelique studied music at the CIM, a reputable Jazz school in Paris where she met and married musician and producer Jean Hebrail with whom she has composed most of her music. She started out as a backup singer in local bands. In 1985, she became the front singer of the known Euro-African jazz/rock band Jasper van't Hof's Pili Pili. Three Pili Pili studio albums followed: Jakko(1987) Be In Two Minds (1988, produced by Marlon Klein) and Hotel Babo (1990). By the end of the 1980s, she had become one of the most popular live performers in Paris and recorded a solo album called Parakou for the Open Jazz Label.
She was then discovered in Paris by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell who signed her in 1991. She recorded four albums for Island until Chris Blackwell's departure from the label. In 2000 she was signed in New York by Columbia Records for which she recorded two albums.
Her musical influences include the Afropop, Caribbean zouk, Congolese rumba, jazz, gospel, and Latin styles; as well as her childhood idols Bella Bellow, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Miriam Makeba and Carlos Santana.
She has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002. With UNICEF, she has traveled to many countries in Africa. Reports on her visits can be found on the UNICEF site. Kidjo founded The Batonga Foundation which gives girls a secondary school and higher education so they can take the lead in changing Africa. The foundation is doing this by granting scholarships, building secondary schools, increasing enrollment, improving teaching standards, providing school supplies, supporting mentor programs, exploring alternative education models and advocating for community awareness of the value of education for girls.
She has campaigned for Oxfam at the 2005 Hong Kong WTO meeting, for the their Fair Trade Campaign and travelled with them in North Kenya and at the border of Darfur and Chad with a group of women leaders in 2007 and contributed to the video for the In My Name Campaign with Will I Am from The Black Eyed Peas. She has hosted the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in Alexandria, Egypt on November 26th, 2007 and on November 15th, 2008
Kidjo was born in Ouidah, Benin. Her father is Fon from Ouidah and her mother is Yoruba . She grew up listening to James Brown, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, and Santana.
By the time she was six, Kidjo was performing with her mother's theatre troupe, giving her an early appreciation for traditional music and dance. She started singing in her school band Les Sphinx and found success as a teenager with her adaptation of Miriam Makeba's "Les Trois Z" which played on national radio. She recorded the album Pretty with the Camerounese producer Ekambi Brilliant and her brother Oscar. It featured the songs Ninive, Gbe Agossi and a tribute to the singer Bella Bellow, one of her role models. The success of the album allowed her to tour all over West Africa. Continuing political conflicts in Benin prevented her from being an independent artist in her own country and led her to relocate to Paris in 1982.
While working various day jobs to pay for her tuition, Angelique studied music at the CIM, a reputable Jazz school in Paris where she met and married musician and producer Jean Hebrail with whom she has composed most of her music. She started out as a backup singer in local bands. In 1985, she became the front singer of the known Euro-African jazz/rock band Jasper van't Hof's Pili Pili. Three Pili Pili studio albums followed: Jakko(1987) Be In Two Minds (1988, produced by Marlon Klein) and Hotel Babo (1990). By the end of the 1980s, she had become one of the most popular live performers in Paris and recorded a solo album called Parakou for the Open Jazz Label.
She was then discovered in Paris by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell who signed her in 1991. She recorded four albums for Island until Chris Blackwell's departure from the label. In 2000 she was signed in New York by Columbia Records for which she recorded two albums.
Her musical influences include the Afropop, Caribbean zouk, Congolese rumba, jazz, gospel, and Latin styles; as well as her childhood idols Bella Bellow, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Miriam Makeba and Carlos Santana.
She has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002. With UNICEF, she has traveled to many countries in Africa. Reports on her visits can be found on the UNICEF site. Kidjo founded The Batonga Foundation which gives girls a secondary school and higher education so they can take the lead in changing Africa. The foundation is doing this by granting scholarships, building secondary schools, increasing enrollment, improving teaching standards, providing school supplies, supporting mentor programs, exploring alternative education models and advocating for community awareness of the value of education for girls.
She has campaigned for Oxfam at the 2005 Hong Kong WTO meeting, for the their Fair Trade Campaign and travelled with them in North Kenya and at the border of Darfur and Chad with a group of women leaders in 2007 and contributed to the video for the In My Name Campaign with Will I Am from The Black Eyed Peas. She has hosted the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in Alexandria, Egypt on November 26th, 2007 and on November 15th, 2008
Emma
Angélique Kidjo Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Emma' by these artists:
7 Years Emma is a girl, she don't care about anyone. Many…
Airbag Desde que te vi en ""Orquesta Club Virginia"", yo decidí que…
Alkaline Trio Emma appeared like an angel. Emma fell like rain Into my…
Andrew Barth Feldman Emma, I can't write songs like you can So I don't…
Ben Reneer I was still alone The moment that you held me Cause I…
Ben Reneer feat. Katie Lee Cragun You stand at the water's edge and somewhere in last…
Caroline Herring Nobleman steps through the doorway Bends to kiss his daughte…
Cristina D'Avena OH – OH – OH – OH OH – OH –…
CYSOUL Hmmm mm mm Jolie i-i Emma, fait moi taille ooo Je suis…
Daby Touré Dougeul fi diaralni guenelni Diarl fi ak fe Tonight 'til ove…
Dale Murphy Lucy Mack Smith said of her daghter in law, Emma: I…
Dan Truman & Mindy Gledhill Never had an ordinary day, Never lived your life in an…
David A. Stewart Candy Dulfer With you the skies are always blue The storm has passed…
Denace When it rains it pours All the pain we endure we…
Dirty Vegas I put my hand into my pocket I found the number…
EDWARDS JONATHAN The first time I saw Emma She was above me in…
Elie Semoun Emma, aima sans moi Moi j'aimais cent moi Emma Et mon émoi…
Emma I ran to the beach in my panty hose Cried you…
Emmanuel Jal This one goes to Emma Mc Cune Angel to the rescue…
Emmms Deine Schuhe bisschen dreckiger als sonst Glaub du warst noc…
Eva De Roovere Dit was niet mijn plan, dat komt ervan ’t Was niet…
Flesh And Fell We were together since we were five She was so pretty,…
Franco Battiato Alla fine di Settembre carico di umidità, io mi abbandono ai…
Frittenbude Er traf sie das erste Mal beim Tanzen. Sie fuhr ihn heim abe…
Gerry Beckley I was falling for some time Passing others, as they'd…
Gloire Grace Je suis tombée, tu m'as relevée As effacé tout mon passé,…
Hot Chocolate We were together since we were five She was so pretty Emma…
Imagine Dragons Emma stood in front of me Tellin' me what I'm supposed…
Irvin Mach Quiero apagar mi cordura por esta ocasión Dejarme Llevar P…
Jason Upton Don't be afraid baby don't you cry Daddy's here it will…
John Wetton It's so good to see your face tonight I could have…
Johnny & The Sounds Some might think our life is boring Some might say it's…
Jonathan Edwards The first time I saw Emma She was above me in…
Josh Hodges I admit its done Im not sure i need it Just want…
July For Kings You're just a baby I think i'm crazy What if i need…
Katherine Nelson Never had an ordinary day, never lived your life in an…
Kid Francescoli Drinks around the pool Paradise of fools But Emma is gone, s…
King Orgasmus One Der Kristall leuchtet nachts, setz' die Skibrille auf Ich ha…
Koppo feat. Krotal Hum, Euh Gars tu dis que j'ai nion si tu savais je…
La Belle Vie Et si j′étais le cerf-volant qui monte jusqu'à ton royaume E…
LAMECCA chiedimi cosa ho perso non cosa mi appartiene tutto è facile…
Les Vieilles Valises Elle a pas toujours la vie facile Elle a les veines…
Lesley Duncan Emma, Oh Emma, you're a child of the light You are…
Linda Vidala Ausj, ausj, jeg blir solbrent Det bare skinner overalt, så m…
Little River Band Oh pretty Emma you sweet pretender, why don't you stay…
Lovebugs You've got troubles At the place where you work And in the…
Mallory Merk Man this a little bit serious Remember when they didn′t beli…
Mark T Oh, Emma Leigh What have you done to me With your hands…
Matmatah Et ma télé est allumée, Emma t'es là Et dire que…
Michael Dunstan Wednesday night, and your best friend is the logo above…
Mora Träsk Kasta kläder och river till Det gör jag alltid hos Emma Kast…
Nashville Tribute Band Never had an ordinary day Never lived your life in an…
Neal Morse Emma was the lawman and I was the brave We got…
Nicole Croisille C'était une provinciale Et elle s'appelait Emma Dans la Norm…
No Party For Cao Dong 歌唱著一種沒有深度的語言 試著跟著這些虛偽一起改變 改變 妳笑著說我所擁有的一切 也都是虛偽 妳笑著說我所有的謊言 活…
Philippe Robrecht Als jonge vrouw brak je m; n hart Iedereen vond ons…
Richard Buckner Emma, I'm sorry for you. Going away with a man…
S.H. Come and see The night that softly bleed Just come and stay …
Satin Circus Her name is Emma, Oh I am head over heels There's one…
Schytts Emma är mitt liv Tuffare än Siv Snyggare än Rut…
SHHE Emma Where have you gone I've been waiting up for you for…
Shu-bi-dua Emma - jeg har så ondt i skulderen Emma - jeg…
Silences Emma, I would never ask for something I could never…
Soran Is it your heart or my heart beating like a…
Svavar Knútur Ég settist við að semja sorgarþrungið ljóð, sökkti mér í s…
Sweet (Hmmmm) This isn't my ordinary fairytale Can't find prince c…
Sweet Empire This sight took all your dreams away Not a free world…
T.S.O The first time I saw you I loved you I loved you Your…
T.S.O. The first time I saw you I loved you I loved you Your…
Tapio Rautavaara Oi, muistatkos′ Emma Sen kuutamoillan Kun yhdessä tansseista…
Teressa Mahoney She said he hurt me with his hands And all her…
Têtes Raides Emma m'aima je n'sais pourquoi Emma M'aima-t-elle Emma Emma…
The Brazen Youth I don't I don't see you anymore I don't feel my feet…
The Plan Emma Nothing happens You're pretty But it's too quiet …
The Sisters of Mercy We were together since we were five She was so pretty Emma…
The Sounds Some might think our life is boring Some might say it's…
Touré Kunda Emma is a girl, she don’t care about anyone. Many…
Ture Ara Oi muistatkos Emma sen kuutamoillan Kun yhdessä tanssista ku…
Vianney Emma Emma l'on s'est vus cent fois Emma J'te connais pas Emm…
{sounds} Some might think our life is boring Some might say it's…
▲Imagine Dragons Emma stood in front of me Tellin' me what I'm supposed…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Angélique Kidjo:
Adje Dada Adje dada, adje dada Adje dada moun yon o lo Wodeka kpoe…
Adouma (Chorus): Minu miwu nugu (ladhi) Miwa miwa nodo (ladhi) (re…
Ae Ae There is a woman in Somalia Scraping for pearls on the…
Afirika Min bi fon do africa gblé lo Min wè na fon…
Agolo Morio orio Ola djou monké n'lo Ola djou monké Ola djou monké…
Agolo (Africa Calling Mix) Chorus: Morio orio Ola djou monké n'lo (3 times) Ola djou mo…
Akwaba Akwaba Adaba Akwaba Adaba Akwaba akwaba akwaba kwaba kwaba …
Arouna Haruna isola lo je oruko wa Oruko ni kaluku wa…
Azan Nan Kpé THE DAY BEGINS …
Babalao Babalao, babalao oo Babalao, babalao oo Babalao, mon wa bèb…
Bahia Aburo, orè ni gbogbowa, ewa ka lolé Aburo, ibi kan ni…
Bala Bala Bala bala, bala bala Bala bala, bala bala Bala djo min djo…
Batonga Mmmmmh.... Mmmmmh.... Ovi yabada dadeh Ovi vanvan nanbaketh…
Battú pertengkaran yang selalu terjadi antara aku dengan dirimu ka…
Bissimilai Tagba djan, tagba djan Bissimilai Bissimilai Bissimilai gui…
Bitchifi Aka flin honton min ton énin an Bokakpon dé ékou gbon…
Black Ivory Soul Wherever you live You'll find no one can take away Whatever …
Blewu Blewu wi iih Blewu wi iih Blewu wi mianda kpélo Blewu wi mia…
Ces Petits Riens Mieux vaut ne penser à rien, que de ne pas…
Conga Habanera Afrika habanero o Afrika habanero wa Afrika habanero o Afrik…
Congoleo Written by: Angélique Kidjo/Jean Hébrail Chorus Congo le o, …
Dje Dje L'Aye Doudoudou ou Doudoudou ou Do dede we dje, ha gbe elo O ho…
Djin Djin There is a woman in Somalia Scraping for pearls on the…
Djovamin Yi Ewo ke va le yia Tote va min non dou Deko kpo…
Ewa Ka Djo Whrrra! (Bridge): Ahoha ahe-wutu-eliliwokia Ewo kia Ewo kia…
Fifa Gbèdo dokoun nou min lé Bo nan vi min bo houn…
Gimme Shelter Oh, a storm is threat'ning My very life today If I don't…
Goddess Of The Sea Waounba waoun Waounba waoun Waounba waoun Waounba waoun Hou…
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) [With Naima] So this is Christmas And what have you done? Another year ov…
Houngbati Humba t′hip-t'hip Humba yop-yop (Repeat 4 times) Bethe memi…
I've Got Dreams to Remember I've got dreams, dreams to remember I've got dreams, dreams …
Idjé Idjé YOU ALONE FEEL YOUR PAIN …
Iemanja Imanja oo, iemanja oooo Iemanja oooo, iemanja oooo Imanja oo…
Ife Baba wa (Ife) Baba wa (repeat) You can make me out to b…
Itche Koutche Ou yéyé, o yéyé Ou yéyé, o yéyé Oko to fé n'ko Ko…
Iwoya Dave Matthews: You don't have to be old to be wise …
Koro-Koro Awon agba nin goun yan Bè ba koro koro lonan…
La Vida Es Un Carnaval Todo aquel que piense que la vida es desigual Tiene…
Lay Lady Lay Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed Lay, lady,…
Le Monde Comme Un Bebe Ah, si tout était doux Si tout était beau Ta main J'aurais m…
Les enfants perdus Ils sont toujour en arrière Quand le vent nous souffle Dan…
Loloye Eé éi yo lolo yé Ea bolo iyo lolo yé Nin odo…
Lon Lon Vadjro Da---a nonong-ye Wawabo nia-eh Sonouke Nononya sokiame oh-oh…
Macumba Macumba cumba Hum Macumba cumba Hum Min bi wa, nou…
Malaika Malaika, nakupenda Malaika. Malaika, nakupenda Malaika. Na…
Move on up Shake, shake, quiver, quiver I'm awoken by a cold shiver Win…
Move On Up (feat. John Legend) Meghan Trainor] I found myself dreaming in silver and gold L…
Mutoto Kwanza Mutoto kwanza Mutoto kwanza Mutoto kwanza Mutoto kwanza Mut…
N'Yin Wan Nou We Zanzan, n'fon n'yin wan nou we Gbadounou zan zan n'yin wan…
Naima Naïma, Naïma Houn gba fan vi o Naïma Naïma, Naïma Houn gba f…
Ne Cédez Jamais Non jamais Non jamais Non jamais Ne cédez jamais Et la foule…
Never Know Featuring Cassandra Wilson Egbé afon kpodo avi kpo Do wézoun…
No Worry Yélélé ago ago ago Yélélé ago ago ago Ma sounkoun non, oré …
NYin Wan Nou We Zanzan, n'fon n'yin wan nou we Gbadounou zan zan n'yin wan…
Okan Bale Okan balè o, okan balè o Okan balè o, okan balè…
Olofoofo Ekpanou mon éshinshin m'bowa, oro oto ko shé so o Ekpanou…
Ominira Wherever you live You'll find no one can take away Whatever …
Open Your Eyes Love I get so lost, sometimes Days pass and this emptiness…
Oremi Kowa joko ka soro Ore mi, kowa joko ka soro Kowa joko…
Ou La La C'est drôle, la vie, comment elle passe C'était pas hier mai…
Oulala Oulala oulala Oulala la oulala Oulala oulala Oulala la oulal…
Papa Intro Papa papa papa Papa papa papa Chorus 1 Ae mandjro pap…
Pearls There is a woman in Somalia Scraping for pearls on the…
Refavela Iaiá, kiriê Kiriê, iaiá Iaiá, kiriê Kiriê, iaiá Iaiá, kiriê …
Salala Intro (Peter Gabriel): Eh Eh Heh-eh Eh Eh Eh Heh-eh Eh …
Seyin Djro Enou koko koudo djidjoe Nin amin deka deka Enoukoko koudo dj…
Shango Shango shango Shango wa fe ki yin o Shango shango Shango wa …
Shango Wa Shango shango Shango wa fe ki yin o Shango shango Shango …
Summertime Summertime And the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' And the c…
The Sound of the Drums I've been away for so long that I wonder If the…
Tombo H'ulanaveh H'ulanavers H'ulanavers kwah-kwah-kwah H'ulanaver…
Tourner La Page Il faut tourner la page Changer de paysage Le pied sur une…
Tumba People This is not a film This is my song Now pick up…
Voodoo Child Well, I stand up next to a mountain And I chop…
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) Well I stand up next to a mountain Chop it down…
Voodoo Chile When I stand up next to a mountain Chop it down…
We Are One As you go through life you'll see There is so much…
Wé-Wé Bridge Zanzan, n′fon n'yin wan nou we Gbadounou zan zan n′yi…
Welcome Assé assala malé Eyolo ouidah a assé assala malé kouo…
Wombo Wombo lombo Wombo lombo Wombo lombo Wombo lombo Gbogbo ènyan…
Yaki Yaki Dagbé towé alotowé min Wè dé yégué, yégué, yégué Ma djo gbè…
Yemandja BE CAREFUL, DON'T CAUSE ME GRIEF …
Zelie Zelie eeeeehhhh Ah eeey zelie eh Zelie eh lala eeeeehh, zel…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Kwame Atoapoma Oteanankanduro
on Summertime
Awesome! Haa, I want the lyrics in the language she sang in.