The Guardian : Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? reissued as all-star mashup – including three generations of Bono

For 40 years, Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? has been praised by some as a triumph of charitable fundraising and festive songwriting – and condemned by others as the most high-profile example of white saviourhood in pop. Now, to mark its latest anniversary, the song is coming back around for a fourth time, in the form of an all-star splicing of the three previous official versions. Announcing the new version, Bob Geldof, who masterminded the 1984 original, says Do They Know It’s Christmas? “tells the story not just of unbelievably great generational British talent, but still stands as a rebuke to that period in which it was first heard. The 80s proclaimed that ‘greed is good’. This song says it isn’t. It says it’s stupid.” Proceeds will benefit the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which supports health and anti-poverty initiatives across Africa.

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New York Latin Culture : Angélique Kidjo Celebrates 40 Years of Musical Joy at Carnegie Hall

Angélique Kidjo is a Beninese French singer-songwriter, actress, and activist with such a long and influential career that she is now considered “The Queen of African Music.” Kidjo is a true force of nature. Angélique Kidjo, with the Color of Noize Orchestra conducted by Derrick Hodge, celebrates 40 years of music and JOY; on the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall in Midtown, Manhattan; on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 8pm. Kidjo is a multi-Grammy winning, Beninese singer, UNICEF and OXFAM goodwill Ambassador who launched her music career in France. She is an African woman of the world who speaks fluent Fon, Yoruba, Gen, French, and English.

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Sortir à Paris : Angélique Kidjo in a special concert at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris

On Monday, October 7, 2024, an exceptional concert will take place in the sumptuous setting of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. The artist Angélique Kidjo will give a unique and exclusive performance to mark the 40th anniversary of her career and the opening weekend of the "Révélation! Contemporary Art from Benin" exhibition. For the occasion, Angélique Kidjo will be accompanied by pianist Thierry Vaton.

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L'Humanité : Angélique Kidjo : « L’inspiration reste du domaine de l’inconnu » (by Clément Garcia)

Angélique Kidjo made her name in France. But it was in the United States that she became a phenomenon. Winner of five prestigious Grammy Awards, named international ambassador for Unicef and invited to take part in major international events, the singer has colored world pop with African hues, forging collaborations with the most illustrious musicians of her time. Meet an artist with an atypical career and a major influence, before her concert at the Fête de l'Humanité on Sunday September 15, on the Angela Davis stage.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

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Wtop : Five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo joins NSO for ‘African Symphony’ at Kennedy Center (by Jason Fraley)

This Wednesday, Angélique Kidjo performs live with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. “It has been a program we have been talking about for a while now,” Kidjo told WTOP. “The thing that was important for me was to come and pay tribute to the music that has inspired my music from the 60s (Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti and Youssou N’Dour) all the way down to today with the music of Burna Boy, Rema and all the young kids that grew up listening to my music. Music has informed me about the diversity of our shared humanity.”

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Inside Africa : CNN’s Inside Africa Joins Five-Time Grammy Winner Angelique Kidjo Backstage And Back Home During Her Tour

In a new episode of Inside Africa, CNN joins five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo who is on tour celebrating her 40th anniversary at the top of the global music industry. She says: “Being on stage for me is just the best thing ever. It’s the best place, and the safest, and the most beautiful place that exists on earth for me.” The Beninese star is out to change perceptions of ‘African music’ one audience at a time: “People still think that classical music has nothing to do with African music. That there is any music on this planet that has nothing to do with Africa. So, why is Africa the cradle of humanity? Where do we come from? And the way that we can dissociate ourself, for me, is a manifestation of fear. Because the narrative that I’ve been told about Africa is so negative, that no one wants to be associated with it. So, if you want to change the narrative, let’s start with music.”

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ArtsHub : Music review: Angélique Kidjo, Perth Festival (by Wolfgang von Flugelhorn)

Beninese-French singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo is a force of nature. Now in her early 60s, her voice is as strong and percussive as ever, her dancing as energetic and playful, her enthusiasm as infectious and her message of empowerment and justice as heartfelt and resounding. In her concert at Perth Concert Hall last Thursday night, she was the embodiment of this year’s Festival theme of Ngaangk (the sun), a female deity in Noongar cosmology who is equally a source of warmth, light, nourishment and protection.

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The 1A : Angélique Kidjo’s global music always returns home

Angélique Kidjo will be in Sweden later this month to accept the Polar Prize. The award is one of the music industry’s most prestigious prizes, recognizing the most influential people in the business. Past winners include some of Kidjo’s collaborators, including Paul McCartney. Kidjo is only the third musician from Africa to win the Polar Prize. Since her music career began, she’s championed music from her home continent.

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