In history books, Africa has always been painted with pain, suffering and colonisation stories…but today I want to change all of those stigmas and re-write history. Africa is home to every good thing happening in neighbouring continents, from entertainment, talent, education, nature, origination, well, and good celebrity gossip… that’s a story for another day, for now, here’s what I meant when I said Africa is the origin of all talents.
Africa’s oasis, Angelique Kidjo, one of Africa's most notable musicians, scored her third Grammy on Monday and dedicated it to aspiring artists on the continent.
The Beninese-born singer attained the Grammy for Best World Music Album for "Sings," a collection of her songs mixed with Western classical traditions in collaboration with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg.
This is not the first, but second straight year that Kidjo has won the Best World Music Album prize, after last year's "Eve" that was dedicated to African women.
A visibly happy Kidjo, enhanced by a colourful African dress, rushed to the stage to accept the award and danced to the legendary James Brown's "I Feel Good," performed by a pit orchestra.
"I want to dedicate this Grammy to all the traditional musicians in Africa, in my country, to all the young generation," Kidjo said.
"Africa is on the rise, Africa is positive, Africa is joyful," she said.
"Let's get together and be one with music, and say no to hate and violence," she said to applause.
The album mixes African song writing and rhythms with European classical instrumentation, a collabo on which Kidjo has repeatedly experimented.
Kidjo described the album as an artistic impediment as traditional African bands follow the lead of the soloist much more closely, unlike Western orchestras that generally play off refined scores, or by the book.
Kidjo, who is based in New York and has plans of having another concert at Carnegie Hall in the upcoming season, said she was open to further work with artists of other genres.
"I work with everyone who believes that music is the tool of peace. For me, music is the only form of art that connects the entire world," she told AFP after accepting the award.
Still undermining yourself as an African? I doubt… it is an honour to have such aspiring people in the entertainment industry… with that said, E-SA applauds Kidjo on such a great achievement… thumbs up!
Picture credit: bucknell.edu
Entertainment SA | Celebrity and Gossip News
Article by: Tebogo Nkabinde
