Prom 16 - Angélique Kidjo on BBC 4
Prom 16 - Angélique Kidjo on BBC 4
Described as ‘the undisputed queen of African music’, three-time Grammy Award-winner Angélique Kidjo makes her Proms debut with her nine-piece band in a late-night tribute to the celebrated salsa songstress Celia Cruz.
Kidjo grew up in Benin, West Africa, listening to salsa and found Celia Cruz a huge inspiration. She later discovered that much of Cruz’s music was inspired by Yoruba traditional songs that migrated from Benin to the Americas with the slave workers.
Kidjo here reinvents these songs in the Afrobeat and juju styles of West Africa, reflecting their true origins.
Watch on BBC 4 or on bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0007f48
There is a dazzling precision to Kidjo’s vocal power. Her concerts are continued proof of her exceptional, and unpredictable, creative range ★★★★ The Telegraph
The most electrifying world music Prom in at least a decade ★★★★ The Times
Power-packed singer has the Royal Albert Hall on its feet ★★★★★ The Evening Standard
Holy smokes, what a party! The “Queen of African Music” bopped and belted like nobody’s business for this late-night Prom. At nearly 60, Angélique Kidjo sings like she’s connected to the Earth itself; wild and full-bodied The Prickle
She is herself dancing non-stop, and she is totally single-minded with her mission to be in charge of a massive dance party. She is an irresistible force, and she ain’t giving up any time soon. London Jazz News
A great way to introduce the music legend to a new generation. To quote Kidjo she was “bringing African music to the Royal Albert Hall”. And she brought it!! Alt Africa
