Angélique Kidjo’s life and work is defined by one thing — freedom

Angélique Kidjo is a legendary Grammy-winning singer, a UNICEF international Goodwill Ambassador and one of the most lauded African artists of our time. She also has one of the most unbelievable stories in music. At the same time that she began finding success as a singer in her homeland of Benin, the country was under a strict military dictatorship. By age 23, she made a very daring and lucky escape to Paris. Angélique joins Tom Power from our Montreal studio to reflect on her childhood in Benin, how she fled to France, and what that experience taught her about freedom of all kinds. Plus, she tells Tom why percussion has to come first when she’s making music.