IN A NUTSHELL
- Angélique Kidjo releases new album HOPE
- The project features major collaborations including Pharrell Williams, Davido and Ayra Starr
- The album is a deeply personal and uplifting tribute dedicated to her late mother
Angélique Kidjo comes with a new studio album HOPE, a vibrant and deeply personal body of work that reaffirms her place as one of Africa’s most influential voices.
Serving as the follow up to her Grammy winning Mother Nature, the 16-track album carries a message rooted in joy, healing and connection. At a time when the world feels increasingly uncertain, HOPE stands as both a celebration of life and a reminder of music’s power to unite.
A major highlight of the project is Kidjo’s collaboration with Pharrell Williams, who not only features on the album but also produced three tracks. Their creative partnership, sparked during a performance in Vatican City, brings a fresh sonic dimension to the project. Tracks like “For Me,” featuring Charlie Wilson, and “No Stopping Us” reflect themes of resilience, self belief and social change, while “Bando” sees contributions from Pharrell and Quavo.
Across the album, Kidjo brings together a wide and dynamic range of collaborators. From African heavyweights like Davido, Ayra Starr and Fally Ipupa, to global icons such as Nile Rodgers and PJ Morton, the album moves seamlessly across genres and geographies. It also bridges into South America with Brazilian star IZA, highlighting the global language of rhythm and soul.
South Africa’s influence is felt through the inclusion of the Soweto Gospel Choir, whose harmonies add depth and spiritual weight to several tracks, continuing a long standing creative connection with Kidjo.
At its emotional core, HOPE is dedicated to Kidjo’s late mother, Yvonne. The album closes with a moving orchestral rendition of “Malaika,” her mother’s favourite song, bringing the project full circle in a moment of reflection and tribute.
Recorded between Paris and Los Angeles, the album is both expansive and intimate. It reflects Kidjo’s journey, her collaborations and her unwavering belief in the power of humanity and connection.
Stream album below:
