Beninese singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo is preparing to release her highly anticipated new album, Hope!!, on April 24th via Warner Records. The forthcoming record, a follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2021 release Mother Nature, promises a vibrant tapestry of musical collaborations and a deeply personal exploration of optimism and resilience. Kidjo, a five-time Grammy Award winner, has consistently pushed boundaries throughout her illustrious career, blending West African traditions with elements of jazz, pop and R&B. Hope!! appears poised to continue that tradition, featuring an impressive roster of guest artists and a message of upliftment particularly resonant in today’s global climate.
The album’s lead single, “Fall On Me,” featuring PJ Morton, offers a compelling preview of the sonic landscape of Hope!!. But the collaborations don’t stop there. Kidjo has enlisted the talents of music industry giants like Pharrell Williams, who produced three tracks in his Paris studio, and Nile Rodgers, renowned for his signature guitar work and production credits with artists like David Bowie and Madonna. The album likewise includes contributions from Ayra Starr, Quavo, Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band, Davido, IZA, Dadju, Diamond Platnumz, Fally Ipupa, The Cavemen, Sheila Maurice-Grey, and the Soweto Gospel Choir, creating a truly international and diverse musical experience.
A Personal Dedication: Honoring a Mother’s Legacy
Hope!! is more than just a collection of songs. it’s a deeply personal tribute to Kidjo’s late mother. The album is dedicated to her memory, celebrating the optimism and strength that defined her life. This emotional core is particularly evident in the album’s closing track, a rendition of “Malaika,” a beloved Swahili love song that held special significance for Kidjo’s mother. The choice to include this song speaks to the enduring power of family and the importance of cherishing cherished memories.
“I started singing when I was six years old, and I’m grateful every day that I still get to live my passion and do what I love with my life,” Kidjo shared in a press statement. “At the same time I know that many people struggle to find joy, especially when there’s so much to worry about in our world today. With this album I wanted to put some fire back in people’s hearts, and show how much we need that joy and hope to keep our humanity going.” This statement underscores the album’s central theme: a conscious effort to inject positivity and resilience into a world often marked by uncertainty and hardship.
Tour Dates and Global Reach
To support the release of Hope!!, Kidjo will embark on an extensive tour of North America and Europe. The tour is scheduled to begin on March 26th at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and will conclude in Vienne, France, in July. The tour dates demonstrate Kidjo’s commitment to connecting with her fans on a global scale and sharing the message of Hope!! live on stage. The breadth of the tour schedule suggests a significant investment in bringing the album’s energy and message to audiences worldwide.
Angélique Kidjo:
- 03-26 Ann Arbor, MI – Hill Auditorium
- 03-28 Somerville, MA – Somerville Theatre
- 04-09 North Bethesda, MD – The Music Center at Strathmore
- 04-11 Princeton, NJ – McCarter Theatre Center
- 04-25 Stanford, CA – Bing Concert Hall
- 05-03 La Jolla, CA – The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
- 05-06 Cenon, Nouvelle-Aquitaine – Le Rocher de Palmer
- 05-08 Halle (Saale), Germany – Georg Friedrich Handel Halle
- 05-12 Paris, France – L’Olympia
- 05-13 Luxembourg – Luxembourg Philharmonie
- 05-16 Brighton, England – Brighton Dome
- 05-24, 2026 Würzburg, Germany – Wurzburg Africa Festival
- 06-05 Dublin, Ireland – National Concert Hall
- 06-25 Niort, France – Niort Jazz Festival
- 07-06 Vienne, France – Jazz a Vienne
Exploring the Tracklist: A Diverse Musical Palette
The tracklist for Hope!! reveals a diverse and ambitious musical vision. The album opens with “Bando,” a collaboration with Pharrell Williams and Quavo, hinting at a fusion of contemporary hip-hop and Kidjo’s signature Afro-pop sound. Other notable tracks include “Aye Kan” featuring Ayra Starr, “Oyaya” with Nile Rodgers and IZA, and “Superwoman” featuring Dadju. The inclusion of the Soweto Gospel Choir on “Sunlight To My Soul” promises a powerful and uplifting moment on the album. The album’s diversity in collaborators and musical styles suggests Kidjo’s intention to create a truly global and inclusive listening experience.
Here is the complete tracklist for Hope!!:
- 01 Bando [feat. Pharrell and Quavo]
- 02 Aye Kan [feat. Ayra Starr]
- 03 No Stopping Us
- 04 Fall On Me [feat. PJ Morton]
- 05 Oyaya [feat. Nile Rodgers and IZA]
- 06 Superwoman [feat. Dadju]
- 07 I’m On Fire [feat. The Cavemen]
- 08 You Can
- 09 Kakua [feat. Diamond Platnumz]
- 10 Sunlight To My Soul [feat. Soweto Gospel Choir]
- 11 For Me [feat. Charlie Wilson]
- 12 Big Heart
- 13 Jerusalema
- 14 Joy feat. Davido
- 15 Nadi Balance [feat. Fally Ipupa, The Cavemen, Sheila Maurice-Grey]
- 16 Malaika [feat. Florent Pagny]
A Legacy of Innovation and Activism
Angélique Kidjo’s career has been marked not only by musical innovation but also by her unwavering commitment to social and political activism. She has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, education, and environmental sustainability, using her platform to raise awareness about critical global issues. In 2021, her album Mother Nature, explored themes of environmental responsibility and the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world. Pitchfork’s review of Mother Nature praised the album’s ambitious scope and Kidjo’s powerful message. This dedication to using her art for positive change is a defining characteristic of her work and is likely to be reflected in the themes explored in Hope!!.
Kidjo’s influence extends beyond her musical achievements. She has received numerous accolades, including five Grammy Awards, and has been recognized for her humanitarian work by organizations such as the United Nations. Her ability to seamlessly blend musical artistry with social consciousness has established her as a truly iconic figure in contemporary music. The release of Hope!! represents another chapter in her remarkable career, offering a message of optimism and resilience to a global audience.
The next confirmed event related to Hope!! is the album’s official release on April 24th. Fans can pre-order the album now and anticipate the start of Kidjo’s extensive tour schedule on March 26th. We encourage you to share this article with your networks and join the conversation about Angélique Kidjo’s inspiring new work.