International icon Angelique Kidjo coming to Vancouver Folk Music Festival

by Charlie Smith on June 11th, 2015 at 4:16 PM

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Two-time Grammy winner and humanitarian Angélique Kidjo will close the Vancouver Folk Music Festival on July 19 at Jericho Beach Park.

Kidjo, who was born in the West African country of Benin, sings in several languages. Her first Grammy nod came for the single "Agolo", which was released in 1994.

“I come from this diversity and richness that’s Benin, where there are 50 different languages," Kidjo told the Straight in 2012. "I speak four of them. I never know in advance which language will come when I start to write. The song leads me to the language."

Her 2007 album Djin Djin was honoured with a Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music. Her most recent album, Eve, also won a Grammy in the world-music category.

But some of Kidjo's most notable achievements have come outside of the recording studio. She's been a UNICEF ambassador for more than a decade, travelling to many African countries.

Angélique Kidjo's "Agolo" won a Grammy.

She cofounded the Batonga Foundation to promote girls education. And she's been a strong proponent for fair trade, women's rights, HIV awareness, and peace in Darfur.

"We are thrilled that Angelique Kidjo will be here to close the festival this year," VFMF artistic director Linda Tanaka said in a news release. "She is an extraordinary human being—an amazing singer and performer, and a passionate advocate for Africa and for women. She's always been one of my favourite performers, and I know she will be a major highlight of this year's festival."

The festival announced that Kidjo had joined the lineup shortly after Taj Mahal withdrew due to health reasons.

Angélique Kidjo delivers a stirring version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song".

In addition to Kidjo, singer-songwriter Richard Thompson, Trampled by Turtles, Son Little, and Canadians Hawksley Workman, Said the Whale, Basia Bulat, and the brother and sister duo of Matthew Barber and Jill Barber will be among more than 60 acts at Jericho Beach Park from July 17 to 19.

In 1998, Kidjo was part of songwriter Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair tour. Kidjo has also performed in many high-profile musical fundraisers, including Bob Geldof's Band Aid 30.

In 2011, the Guardian named Kidjo as one of its 100 most inspiring women in the world. Forbes listed her at the top-ranked female on its list of the most powerful celebrities in Africa.