The Beninese diva has teamed up with the Nigerian singer to speak out against injustice on “Dignity.”
Angelique Kidjo is one of today’s greatest African icons. Praised by many media outlets, from the BBC to the New York Times to Paris Match, she is known for her commitment to fighting injustice as an international ambassador for UNICEF. Yemi Alade, for her part, is a very popular singer on the African continent. Having experienced tremendous success since her late 2013 hit “Johnny,” the artist is widely listened to in many countries, from South Africa to the United Kingdom, Nigeria and Uganda. Angelique Kidjo was featured on the single “Shekere” from Yemi Alade’s fourth album, which was released in 2019 and titled “Woman of Steel,” mixing Afrobeats, R&B and highlife.
The two women decided to reunite on “Dignity,” a track that aims to pay tribute to all those fighting against police violence, inspired by the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria. Angelique Kidjo states: “A lot of people think that police brutality only happens in America, but it’s everywhere.” She adds: “This song is against brutality, but it’s also about treating ourselves with dignity, treating nature with dignity and treating ourselves with dignity. If we can’t see the dignity that Mother Nature has given to each of us, then how can we walk with our heads held high?”
Catch Angelique Kidjo and Yemi Alade in our Songs of the Week playlist on Spotify and Deezer.
