African Music Giants: Angelique Kidjo and Burna Boy

African Music Giants, Angelique, and Burna Boy have impacted the African music scene locally and internationally. We came from when the rest of the world thought all African music sounded like the opening score in Disney’s “Lion King”. We are in an era where contemporary African Music has made its way into the global mainstream. Watching our sound and culture break barriers to take their place on the world stage has been satisfying. Whether it be the bubbly Afrobeats of the west or the vibey Amapiano of the south, African music is evolving, and we couldn’t be prouder to share our eclectic sound with the world.

Global Recognition Of African Music Giants

Global recognition came knocking in 2020 when many African entertainers were nominees at the 2020 Grammys for their features on Beyonce’s “The Lion King: The Gift” album; 2020 was indeed a great year for African Music. Even more exciting were the nominations of Benin’s Angelique Kidjo and Nigeria’s Burna Boy for the 2020 Grammy Awards in the Best World Music category for their albums “Celia” and “African Giant”, respectively. Although Angelique Kidjo’s Celia album beat Burna Boy’s African Giant to claim the award, Burna Boy was back the following year to win the Best Global Music Album award at the 2021 Grammys for his album “Twice as Tall”. These two music giants will be our focus in this article.

Music Giant Angelique Kidjo

Her full name is Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo. She is a four-time grammy award-winning singer and songwriter from the Republic of Benin. She was born on July 14th 1960, in the Benin city of Quidah and grew up listening to traditional Benin music. Travelling with her mother’s theatre troupe, she came to appreciate classic songs and dances. She has also listed Miriam Makeba, Osibisa, Stevie Wonder, and Hugh Masekela, among others, as her most significant influences in music.

International Impact

Her music includes Afropop, Afrobeat, Reggie, world music, world fusion, world beat, jazz, Gospel, and Latin. She is fluent in 5 languages, including Yoruba, English, Fon, French, and Gen. She sings in all these languages.
Her rich sound incorporates influences from Europe and Latin America into her West African heritage. The genre-bending style has earned her spots on international orchestras and symphonies worldwide. Deservedly She performed at the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg in Paris and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

This African Music Giant is an activist and humanitarian who uses her fame positively. She is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and O.X.F.A.M. to advocate for the rights of minors. She is also the founder of Batonga, a foundation that champions gender equality and helps adolescent girls “transform their potential into the power to lead healthy, independent, safe, and fulfilling lives”. In addition, A.F.A.W.A. Initiative made her their spokesperson at the 2019 G7 summit.

Angelique was referred to as “Africa’s premier diva” in 2007 by Time Magazine, a title she has lived up to in several trailblazing achievements. In 2015, she was honoured by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with the prestigious Crystal Award. In 2016, she received the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award and, in 2018, The German Sustainability Award. Angelique performed during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on July 23rd 2021.

Angelique has just won the 2022 Forbes Women In Entertainment Award.

Read more about African Artist Yemi Alade

King of African Rap Burna Boy

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally recognised as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper. Born in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria, on July 2nd 1991, he started creating his music when he was ten. After completing his secondary education in Nigeria, he moved to the U.K. to continue schooling. Returning to Nigeria in 2010, he dedicated ample time to developing a successful music career.

The Music Giants Awards

This African Music Giant rose to fame in 2012 after releasing his hit single “Like To Party”. The lead single from his introductory album, “L.I.F.E.”. Leriq, a Nigerian record producer, entirely produced the body of work. It features performances from guest artists like M.I., Wizkid and Reminisce. The album performed reasonably well on music charts. It was ranked 10th on the 12 Best Albums of 2013 by Nigeria Entertainment Today. Also, in 2014, the album was nominated at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards for Best Album of The Year.

He later teamed up with producer Juls, and in 2018, he released his third studio album, “Outside”, which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart after its release. The album was a significant milestone in his career as it marked the beginning of his rise to international recognition. The album features hit songs like Rock Your Body, Ye, Koni Baje and Sekkle Down, featuring British rapper J Hus.
In 2019, Burna Boy won the award for Best International Act at the B.E.T. Awards, and Apple Music announced him as their Up next Artist. Also, in 2019, he dropped African Giant, his fourth studio album. All Africa Music Awards awarded the album Music of the year in 2019. He earned a Best World Music Album nomination at the 62nd Grammy Awards. In 2021, his fifth album, Twice As Tall, made him an award at the 63rd Grammy Awards for Best World Music Album. He began dating rapper Stefflon Don in 2018.