Five-time GRAMMY-winning musician, actress, and activist, Angélique Kidjo, released her new album, “HOPE!!” on April 24, serving as the follow-up to her 2021 Grammy-winning “Mother Nature.”
“HOPE!!”offers a revelatory body of work across 16 new recordings, bringing joy that also serves as a unifying force, a conduit for healing, and a much-needed remedy for despair in troubled times. This album showcases why Kidjo is one of Africa’s most influential and inspiring artists.
“HOPE!!” includes a wide array of genres, from West African rhythms and Afrobeat to American R&B and soul. The album also features several collaborations with artists such as Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Davido, Ayra Starr, and Nile Rodgers. These collaborations act as a physical embodiment of community and human connection.
View a trailer of “HOPE!!”:
Kidjo’s main inspiration for her album was her late mother, Yvonne. Her mother’s strength, optimism, and resilience left a lasting impact on her. “HOPE!!” ends with an orchestral rendition of the Swahili love song “Malaïka,” which was her mother's favorite track. Along with her mother, music is another core inspiration, a healing force.
In an interview with The Native Magazine, Kidjo dives deeper into the message of hope by saying, “Without hope, there is no love. There’s no hope, there’s no perseverance. There’s no plan for the future, and we need hope at every moment of the day and the life you’re living.”
Amidst global crises and polarizing politics, Kidjo views her music as a cure. She aims to encourage connection across cultures, believing that humanity can overcome pain through shared joy, love, and community. Kidjo also hopes that her album will connect generations through the star-studded collaborations with other artists.
Pop Matters says, “[Kidjo’s] sincerity, as demonstrated by decades of music and social activism, is irreproachable. She fights the fires of hate with the fires of love. Hope is a crucial thing in times of crisis. ‘HOPE!!’ is Kidjo wholeheartedly believing in it.”
We cannot wait to host Angélique Kidjo at the Wisconsin Union Theater’s Shannon Hall this season to hear the truly inspiring and breathtaking album, “HOPE!!”.