Angélique Kidjo Returns with Star-Studded Album HOPE!!
The five-time Grammy winner returns with her first solo album in five years, featuring Davido, Ayra Starr, Quavo, PJ Morton and the Soweto Gospel Choir in a genre-blending celebration of African music, resilience and hope.
After five years without a solo release, global music icon Angélique Kidjo is stepping back into the spotlight with a bold new project. Her forthcoming album HOPE!!, set for release on April 24 via Warner Music France, promises to be a vibrant celebration of resilience, collaboration and the enduring global influence of African music.
The five-time Grammy Award winner has spent the past few years reaffirming her place among the world’s most influential artists. From being named to the prestigious TIME 100 Most Influential People list to receiving the globally respected Polar Music Prize in 2023, Kidjo’s impact continues to extend far beyond the stage.
In 2024, she delivered a powerful performance of “Jerusalema” during the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral – a moment that coincided with her 16th Grammy nomination and reaffirmed her status as one of Africa’s most celebrated musical exports.
Now, with HOPE!!, the Benin-born legend channels decades of artistry into a project rooted in optimism, cultural unity and the transformative power of music.
“I started singing when I was six years old, and I’m grateful every day that I still get to live my passion,” Kidjo says. “But I also know many people struggle to find joy in a world that can feel overwhelming. With this album I wanted to put some fire back in people’s hearts and remind them how much we need hope.”
A Global Line-Up of Musical Powerhouses
The album reflects Kidjo’s extraordinary ability to unite musical voices from across continents and genres. Among the collaborators are global music heavyweights including Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers, PJ Morton, Charlie Wilson and Quavo.
African stars also take centre stage on HOPE!!, with appearances from Afrobeats leaders Davido and Ayra Starr, Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz, Congolese legend Fally Ipupa and Nigerian highlife duo The Cavemen.
The album’s lead single, “Fall On Me” featuring PJ Morton, offers the first glimpse into the project’s rich and soulful soundscape.
Much of the album’s creative energy was sparked in September 2025 when Kidjo joined Pharrell Williams at his Grace For The World concert in Vatican City. That meeting led to the creation of three original songs recorded in Pharrell’s Paris studio.
Among them is “For Me,” a triumphant anthem celebrating personal achievements in the face of challenges, featuring Charlie Wilson. “No Stopping Us” explores themes of collective action and social progress, while “Bando,” featuring Quavo, pays homage to the street culture that has shaped many of today’s global music trends.
A Moving Tribute to Family and Legacy
At its emotional core, HOPE!! is also a deeply personal tribute. The album is dedicated to Kidjo’s late mother, Yvonne, whose strength and optimism inspired much of the project’s message.
The album concludes with a moving orchestral rendition of “Malaika,” arranged by Derrick Hodge and featuring French singer Florent Pagny – a tribute to the song that was her mother’s favourite.
Recorded across Paris and Los Angeles over the past three years, the album also features contributions from Kokoroko’s acclaimed trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey and Franco-Congolese singer Dadju.
Another standout track, “Sunlight To My Soul,” was written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren and features the uplifting harmonies of South Africa’s internationally celebrated Soweto Gospel Choir, who first performed with Kidjo at a 2003 benefit concert hosted by Nelson Mandela.
Music That Inspires Change
Beyond music, Kidjo’s legacy is also rooted in activism and humanitarian work. She founded the Batonga Foundation, which supports the education of adolescent girls across Africa, and serves as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, advocating for children’s rights around the world.
Over the years, her work has drawn admiration from cultural icons including Harry Belafonte, who praised her for using her growing global influence to reshape how the world sees Africa.
With HOPE!!, Kidjo once again demonstrates why she remains one of Africa’s most important cultural ambassadors. In a time when the world feels increasingly uncertain, her message is simple yet powerful: hope, joy and connection remain essential to our shared humanity.
“I want people to feel happiness when they hear these songs,” Kidjo says. “But more than that, I want them to remember that we are all connected and that we were put here to help and love each other.”
