Angélique Kidjo brings global melodies to open-minded listeners and continues to branch out into other genres of music, most notably by working with Gilberto Gil and Dave Matthews, among others. The four-time Grammy-nominated singer, composer and performer began her career in the West African country of Benin, but the political turmoil there led her to relocate to Paris in 1980 and then to New York City, where she now resides. On her new album Djin Djin (the title refers to the sound of the bell that greets the beginning of a new day in Africa), Angélique returns to her Beninese roots, building an album around the most traditional rhythms from her country.

With her new album, Angélique Kidjo does what no record since Paul Simon’s Graceland has done – using African beats in pop music in a way that will expand the public’s consciousness. Produced by the legendary Tony Visconti (David Bowie, Morrissey, T. Rex), Djin Djin finds Kidjo partnering with such luminaries as Alicia Keys, Ziggy Marley, Branford Marsalis and Amadou & Mariam to create an album, which is truly global in scope, while her songs embrace the universal joys and sorrows of life: the magic of birth (“Salala” featuring Peter Gabriel), the healing and learning potential of music (“Awan N’La”), the lessons offered as youth yields to age (“Sedjedo”) and a cover of Sade’s moving “Pearls,” a duet between Kidjo and Josh Groban that includes the signature guitar work of Carlos Santana. On another cover, a brilliant acappella arrangement of Ravel’s “Bolero” entitled “Lonlon,” she illuminates the bridge that stretches from European classical music to the wellspring of northern Africa. And on “Gimme Shelter,” Kidjo, with the help of Joss Stone, transforms The Rolling Stones classic into an exuberant pan-national performance that nonetheless translates into a warning. A long-time UNICEF goodwill ambassador, Angélique Kidjo’s music conveys her passion and soul that is deeply rooted in native African musical tradition and will undoubtedly become a part of the fabric of your life too.