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Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and activist Angélique Kidjo joins host Norah Jones to discuss her new 2026 album, Hope, her upbringing in Benin with a large, artistic family, and her humanitarian work with UNICEF. Kidjo shares vivid stories from her childhood, including being unexpectedly pushed onto stage at age six by her mother, leading a household of eleven children, and learning multiple languages and musical genres without fear. Throughout the episode, Kidjo and Jones perform stripped-down versions of Kidjo's songs You Can and For Me, while reflecting on the emotional toll of global bad news, the deep biological roots of human rhythm, and the resilience of children she has met through her foundation and UNICEF travels.
The episode opens with the hosts introducing the podcast, the host Nora Jones, and the guest Angelique Kidjo, setting the stage for the conversation.
Angelique talks about her foundation’s mission to empower girls and young women in Africa, the projects she supports, and how her music fuels her humanitarian work.
Angelique shares her upbringing in West Africa, her family's musical traditions, and the influence of her parents and siblings on her early passion for music.
The conversation turns to Angelique’s belief that music is a living, breathing experience, preferring live, in‑studio recordings with full bands over isolated studio tracks.
Angelique discusses the many languages she speaks, how her cultural heritage shapes her songwriting, and the impact of African and international musical traditions on her sound.
Angelique explains how she worked with Pharrell, Nile Rodgers, and other artists, the organic nature of her collaborations, and the themes explored in her 2026 album Hope.
She shares moving anecdotes of singing to children in crisis, the emotional power of music to heal, and her commitment to giving hope to vulnerable youth.
The conversation shifts to the host’s experience observing hope among children in a community setting.
The host outlines her mission to write non-sad songs that inspire hope and empowerment.
The host recaps the two songs performed from Angelique Kidjo’s new album, noting featured artists.
A commercial pitch promotes Toyota trucks, highlighting their features and value.
The host promotes the new series “Before the Moment,” inviting listeners to explore artist stories.
Pushed Onto Stage at Age Sixstory
Angélique Kidjo describes how her mother dragged her from under a theater costume and forced her onto the stage at age six. Panicked by the bright spotlight, she performed clownishly, only to receive a standing ovation that terrified her.
Finding An Indian Melody By Earstory
After loving the music and dance from an Indian movie in her childhood, Kidjo remembered only the melody years later. She sang it to her airline-worker brother, who tracked down the music and lyrics in India with the help of friends.
The Evolutionary Roots of Rhythminsight
Kidjo explains that music and rhythm are deeply embedded in human DNA from ancestral times. She argues that our heartbeat is our first rhythm and that people who claim they lack rhythm are simply disconnected from being alive.
Perfectionism is a Sicknessinsight
Reflecting on recording in the studio, Kidjo states that she prefers capturing live band energy over chasing perfection, which she describes as a disease. She values how a raw, human performance feels and translates to an audience.
An Eminem Nightmare Leads to Quavostory
After having a terrifying anxiety dream about being invited on stage by Eminem and not knowing how to rap, Kidjo texted Pharrell Williams suggesting their song needed a rapper. Pharrell subsequently brought in Quavo for the track Bendo.
Children First As A Rallying Crystory
Kidjo shares a poignant anecdote about visiting vulnerable children in crisis zones who gave her a specific mission for her songwriting. A young boy told her to spread the message that children of the world must be the priority of adults, on the condition that the resulting song was not sad.
“I mean, the power we have, we don't, I'm starting to realize that music is something that is a gift of nature”
“Music is not like that. You like it or not like it, it still stays with you somehow.”
“The world we're living in now where we are home, it won't be the same tomorrow, let alone in a year or 10 years from now.”
“If you don't have kids, you don't understand sometime.”
“We all have our talent. Being a teacher is also a, it's us us because it's hard work.”
“That's, I'm, all I'm writing about is, I can't talk about hope”
“Well, you have, that's the thing is you can be a witness to what they're going through and you can reflect it, you can be inspired by them and, and write songs about it.”
“Small businesses are the pulse of every community.”
“as long as the song is not a sad one.”
GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, and activist Angélique Kidjo joins Norah to talk about her roots in Benin, her remarkable career, her humanitarian work, and her new album.
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