Angelique Kidjo’s voice is a lifeline—a thread connecting Benin’s dusty streets to the world’s grandest stages.
Born in 1960 in Ouidah – Benin, Angélique Kidjo grew up surrounded by her mother’s theater troupe and the radio’s eclectic sounds—Miriam Makeba, James Brown, and Fela Kuti.
Exiled from Benin in 1983, she found her voice in Paris, blending West African rhythms with jazz, pop, and beyond. With five Grammys, fluency in five languages, and a fierce dedication to activism, her music remains her strongest statement—raw, layered, and deeply purposeful. Kidjo doesn’t just sing; she channels history, defiance, and joy. From collaborating with Santana to mentoring Burna Boy, she stays rooted in her Beninese heritage.
These 20 tracks aren’t just hits—they’re moments where her artistry shines brightest.
1. Gbe Agossi
Angélique Kidjo’s debut bursts with youthful energy and raw intensity. The percussion pounds like a village drum circle—unfiltered and organic—while her high, untamed voice slices through the chaos. It’s a vivid snapshot of an artist at the edge of transformation, deeply rooted in Benin’s traditions yet reaching for something greater.
2. Batonga
Taken from her 1991 album Logozo, Batonga was the breakthrough that launched Angélique Kidjo onto the global stage. With its infectious rhythm and fearless vocals, the track is a bold anthem of freedom and self-expression—Kidjo staking her claim with undeniable energy.
3. We We
Another standout from Logozo, this track’s infectious rhythm propelled it up the charts. Kidjo’s soaring vocals glide over the groove, seamlessly blending African soul with pop sensibility. It feels effortless—melodic and breezy—yet beneath its ease lies a masterful touch.
4. Agolo
A Grammy-nominated highlight from he album Ayé, Agolo is both a hypnotic groove and a call to protect the earth. Shot at Paisley Park, its striking music video showcased Kidjo’s visual storytelling, blending themes of motherhood and African deities with vibrant energy.
5. Adouma
Adouma is pure rhythmic hypnosis. Polyrhythms swirl as Angelique Kidjo’s raw, guttural chants drive the energy, making dance irresistible. The second track on Ayé, it builds on the momentum of the Grammy-nominated Agolo with an upbeat, groove-heavy composition. Co-written with Jean Louis Pierre Hebrail, it’s a pulse-pounding standout.
6. Wombo Lombo
Wombo Lombo, the second track on Fifa, is pure joy in motion. This chart-topping single blends an upbeat tempo with a playful groove, making it impossible to resist. Angelique Kidjo’s charisma electrifies every note, turning celebration into an art form. Beneath the fun, there’s precision—proof of a master at work.
7. Shango
Also from her Fifa album, Shango crackles with the raw power of its namesake, the Yoruba thunder god. It’s a bold tribute to her cultural roots, delivered with fierce, commanding energy.
8. We Are One
Kidjo’s contribution to The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride is a soaring ballad about unity. Composed by Tom Snow, We Are One was released on September 8, 1998, as part of the film’s soundtrack. It’s a surprising yet fitting addition to her legacy, showcasing her mainstream appeal. With rising strings, subtle percussion, and her powerful voice, the song embodies a message of togetherness that lingers beyond the silver screens.
9. Voodoo Chile
Angélique Kidjo reimagines Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Child with a bold West African twist, turning the psychedelic rock classic into a pulsating, percussive force. Featured on her 1998 album Oremi, her version blends Hendrix’s bluesy grit with driving African rhythms and her signature powerhouse vocals. Rather than merely covering the song, she transforms it—bridging rock and Afrobeat in a way only she can.
10. Malaika
Malaika is a timeless Swahili ballad, originally written in 1945 by Tanzanian musician Adam Salim. Over the decades, it has been reimagined by many artists, most notably Miriam Makeba in 1971 and Boney M in 1981. Angélique Kidjo’s rendition transforms heartbreak into beauty, her quivering voice weaving through the song’s tale of lost love. Backed by delicate guitar and soft rhythms, she honors the original while making it unmistakably her own—gentle, haunting, and deeply moving.
11. Salala feat Peter Gabriel
Salala feels like a dream in motion. Peter Gabriel’s ethereal whispers glide over a steady pulse, while Angélique Kidjo’s deep, soulful voice grounds the track with raw emotion. A standout from her Grammy-winning Djin Djin, it’s both haunting and danceable—a mesmerizing fusion that even landed on the U.S. Dance charts.
12. Obinrin (ft. Ibrahim Maalouf)
Queen of Sheba, the joint album by Angélique Kidjo and Ibrahim Maalouf, received a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2023. It is a mesmerizing fusion of African rhythms, Middle Eastern influences, and jazz. One standout track, Obinrin, embodies womanhood in sound—Maalouf’s trumpet swirls like smoke, while Kidjo’s Yorùbá chants add depth and power. Both meditative and fierce, it is a testament to their boundless artistry.
13. Mother Nature (ft. Sting)
The title track from Kidjo’s 2021 album, Mother Nature, blends her commanding vocals with Sting’s signature warmth in a heartfelt plea for the planet. Merging African rhythms with soft rock and orchestral flourishes, the song balances urgency with hope. Its rich harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics make it a stirring anthem for sustainability and global unity.
14. Angélique Kidjo – Do Yourself (ft. Burna Boy)
Following their collaboration on Burna Boy’s African Giant and Kidjo dedicating her fourth Grammy win to him, this powerhouse duet was inevitable. Do Yourself blends Afrobeats with Kidjo’s signature global sound, radiating African pride and self-empowerment. Featured on her 2021 album Mother Nature, the track pairs Burna Boy’s fiery delivery with Kidjo’s commanding presence, making for an electrifying anthem.
15. Africa, One of a Kind (ft. Mr Eazi & Salif Keïta)
A highlight from Kidjo’s 2021 album Mother Nature, Africa, One of a Kind is a vibrant tribute to African identity and unity. Mr Eazi opens the track with a sample from Salif Keïta’s classic Africa, making it only fitting that the legend himself joins in. It’s a cross-generational feel-good anthem that honors the continent’s rich heritage while embracing its evolving sound.
16. Òròkórò” (with Mr Eazi)
From his 2023 album The Evil Genius, “Òròkórò” is a fusion of Afrobeats and traditional African sounds, elevated by Kidjo’s powerhouse vocals. The song carries a deep message about truth and transparency, with Eazi’s laid-back delivery contrasting Kidjo’s commanding presence. It’s a bold, cross-generational collaboration that highlights both artists’ storytelling prowess.
17. Manodzi (with Stonebwoy)
A standout from Stonebwoy’s 5th Dimension, Manodzi is a soulful, spiritual anthem that fuses Ghanaian dancehall with Angélique Kidjo’s timeless vocals. Meaning “I’ll Keep On” in West African language Ewe, the track embodies resilience, gratitude, and divine protection. With its rich African rhythms and uplifting message, it bridges generations, celebrating strength and perseverance through music.
18. Dignity (ft. Yemi Alade)
A powerful collaboration with longtime collaborator and mentee Yemi Alade, this song is pure protest music. The beat crackles with defiance, Alade’s warmth contrasts with Kidjo’s fierce resolve, and their harmonies intertwine seamlessly. Together, they deliver a poignant tribute to those lost in Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests and a rallying cry against injustice everywhere.
19. Na Money (with Davido & The Cavemen)
Kidjo joins Afrobeats star Davido on this standout from Timeless, bringing depth to its smooth highlife-inspired production. With Davido and The Cavemen delivering vibrant vocals, her presence adds a timeless gravitas, proving she remains a powerful force in today’s music scene. As the elder stateswoman, she anchors the track with soul.
20. Joy (ft. Davido)
Her second collaboration with Davido, Joy is an upbeat, heartfelt, and inspirational hit that topped Nigerian charts. It is reported that the two artists began working on the song after a chance reunion in New York in summer 2024. They later reunited in St. Tropez to film its vibrant, energy-filled video, with additional footage shot in Nigeria. Sung in Yoruba and English, Joy radiates positivity, celebrating resilience and the unbreakable spirit of Africa!
