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
Oulala
Angélique Kidjo Lyrics
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Oulala la oulala
Oulala oulala
Oulala la oulala
Aminata we djayi le lo
Aminata we yi bou le lo
Aminata we yi houe le lo
Aminata
Aminata fa komin le lo
Aminata we konou le lo
Aminata we sinyin hou le lo
Minde, mantoun so edja lo
Oulala oulala
Oulala la oulala
Oulala oulala
Oulala la oulala
Aiya iya iya iye
Aiya iya iya iye
Aiya iya iya iye
Aiya iya iya iye
The lyrics to Angélique Kidjo's song "Oulala" are primarily a celebration of the African woman. The repeated refrain of "Oulala oulala" serves as a joyful exclamation, almost like a call to attention. The rest of the lyrics are Keita Mandjou's spoken words in Malinke, which Kidjo has described as "a very old language of Mali." The song begins with the name Aminata being repeated, which may refer to a specific woman or simply serve as a stand-in for all African women. The phrases "we djayi le lo," "we yi bou le lo," and "we yi houe le lo" are all variations on the phrase "we le lo," which roughly translates to "let's dance."
The verse continues with "Nonte bo fa komin lo," which Kidjo has translated to mean "I dance for myself," emphasizing the importance of self-expression and self-celebration. The second verse is mostly a repetition of the first, with the addition of "minde, mantoun so edja lo," which Kidjo has said means "my soul is happy." Throughout the song, there are various vocalizations and interjections, such as "Aiya iya iya iye," which serve to heighten the energy and celebratory nature of the piece.
Line by Line Meaning
Oulala oulala
Expressing amazement or surprise, with no specific meaning.
Oulala la oulala
A repetition of the first line, still expressing amazement or surprise.
Aminata we djayi le lo
Aminata is trying to follow through with her plan, despite the obstacles she faces.
Aminata we yi bou le lo
Aminata is determined not to give up, even when things get tough.
Aminata we yi houe le lo
Aminata is staying motivated and focused, regardless of the challenges she encounters.
Nonte bo fa komin lo
A reference to the importance of supporting each other, especially during difficult times.
Aminata fa komin le lo
Aminata recognizes the value of having a strong support system and encourages others to do the same.
Aminata we konou le lo
Aminata is showing resilience and courage in the face of adversity.
Aminata we sinyin hou le lo
Aminata remains positive and hopeful, even when things seem dire.
Minde, mantoun so edja lo
This line could have multiple interpretations. One could be seen as a reminder to continue working hard towards a goal, while the other could be interpreted as an encouragement to remain united and connected.
Aiya iya iya iye
A repetition of a nonsensical phrase, possibly meant as a way to evoke emotion or celebrate enthusiasm.
Aiya iya iya iye
A repetition of the previous line, still conveying a sense of emotion or excitement.
Aiya iya iya iye
A repetition of the previous lines, still communicating a heightened sense of emotion or fervor.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANGELIQUE KIDJO, JEAN LOUIS PIERRE HEBRAIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kwame Atoapoma Oteanankanduro
on Summertime
Awesome! Haa, I want the lyrics in the language she sang in.