Songstress with a soul

Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo on early beginnings, her future plans and how music fuels her life

Time Magazine calls her Africa’s premier diva. Her fans believe that she is Africa’s most internationally celebrated female musical exponent. Meet Angelique Kidjo, a Grammy Award-winning, celebrated Jazz singer, composer and performer, who performed in Mumbai recently. The artiste who was born in Benin has won the hearts of several people across the globe with her striking voice, philanthropic work and fluency in multiple languages. Her genre of music is largely identified as African and World. Apart from collaborating with artistes like Bono, Peter Gabriel and Carlos Santana, Kidjo has also mesmerised audiences on countless stages, including performing at the concert to kick-start the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

In her new album Oyo, Kidjo revisits the music that was instrumental in her artistic formation in Benin, the country whose communist dictatorship she fled in the early ‘80s. In this album, she even reinterprets a song — Dil main chupa ke pyar ka from the 1953 Hindi film Aan.

In an exclusive interview with Screen, she shares her passion for music and her Indian connection.

Were you excited to perform in India?

I was very excited and was looking forward to play in front of the Indian public as I respect your culture very much. I have been to Mumbai before. I performed there once with the great Trilok Gurtu. I had a very fond memory of the city, its honking cabs and incredible market. I love Indian fabrics. I am sure I’ll find time to visit the textile market again!

Why did you choose Jazz as a genre?

I have never done the same kind of album. So now my fans know that my musical style will always evolve. But in a way there is a strong unity in all the music I have done: they are all influenced by my African roots. And these roots, throughout the history of slavery, have travelled far away from my hometown. This is why I never feel I’m lost!

You have infused different genres like Afropop, Caribbean Zouk, Jazz, Gospel and Latin styles in your music. What prompted you to do so?

I think the biggest influence for me was traditional music from my country Benin. At age six, I could sing all the folk songs: the first time I sang on stage, it was the traditional Atcha houn that is featured on Oyo. As a teenager, I discovered with my brothers the music from America and England. I would not change my musical education as being exposed at an early age to the creativity of the ‘60s and the funkiness of the ‘70s was a blessing for me.

You are proficient in four languages (Fon, French, Yoruba and English) and have also come up with new words in your songs. Do you love languages and how did you think of introducing new words?

It is not a language per se: I just make up words that sound good to me musically like Wombo Lombo, Batonga etc...- Speaking of language, on Oyo, you perform the songs of American artists whose lyrics you often didn’t understand as a child but still loved.

You are involved with a lot of philanthropic activities. What prompts you to be so actively involved in it?

When I started to work with UNICEF, I discovered that education is the only long-term solution to change the face of the African continent. Girls in Africa (and I am pretty sure in India also) have a lesser access to education so I decided to support them in five countries in Africa. Because I realise how lucky I was as a little girl to have a loving family that provided education and health care for me. I need to give back to my continent so that everyone can have the same opportunity.

What are your future plans?

I just recorded a song for a Lullaby album with Carla Bruni, Martha Wainwright and Madonna. I sung for the next Red Hot and Rio album. I am working on a concert with the Luxembourg orchestra, and on a book. My life is so busy, I don’t have time to get bored!

You have collaborated with various artistes and experimented with various genres of your music in your career. Do you plan to collaborate with any Indian artistes? Just like Africa, even India is a melting pot of cultures. What kind of Indian music do you like?

I love Anouska Shankar and I just met an Indian singer Chandrika Tandon who was nominated at the Grammy with me. I have played Talvin Singh and Trilok Gurtu. Indian music has a lot in common with African grooves.
What kind of music did you grow up listening to and which artistes did you idolise?
I think Miriam Makeba is my greatest influence. Her success showed me that you could be an African woman and be successful, respected and be an ambassador of your continent. It was great growing up with eight brothers and sisters, amidst a variety of culture and musical traditions. It has shaped my musical career: people always note that my style is not purely traditional, it is because not only did I learn all the traditional songs but also the music from Stax, Motown and… Bollywood.

How did you get interested in music?

I love the stage. The first time I sung in public, I was six and I have been hooked ever since. So my passion is touring all over the world and meeting a new audience. My mother is the one who put me on stage and it has changed my life forever. I haven’t left the stage ever since!

How would you define your music?

I am convinced that music is a universal language and that it has the power to create a bond between people from different cultures. It helps us understand each other better. You don’t need to be an Indian to like Sitar or Tabla. It’s the same thing with African music.

Angelique Kidjo performed at Mumbai’s Blue Frog on March 10 and the National Centre for Performing Arts on March 11.