Angélique Kidjo: Tiny Desk Concert

Bob Boilen | September 12, 2022

Today we celebrate the 1,000th concert the Tiny Desk team has captured and published, and I can't imagine a more inspiring spirit to help us celebrate than Angélique Kidjo. Originally from the West African country of Benin, the singer and activist plays a crucial role in spreading the music of Africa and the spirit of love in all that she does.

When I started the Tiny Desk series in April 2008, I never imagined its impact. So many artists' voices have been raised and shared with music fans worldwide through these performances. When Angélique was preparing for her Tiny Desk concert, she thought it would be a good idea to watch some past concerts for inspiration. It's then she saw Sampa The Great's home concert from Zambia and immediately reached out in hopes of collaborating. Now here they are, at NPR, brought together by a series that has been blessed with so much talent and a global audience with big ears and open arms.

Angélique Kidjo's band drives the energy and melody as they perform songs from her 2021 album Mother Nature and then dig back a decade to perform the song "Afirika," encouraging strength for the African people. The celebration concludes as Angélique Kidjo pays tribute to her friend and mentor Miriam Makeba by performing her 1967 global hit, "Pata Pata." It was a lovely way to shine a light on how we can impact each other's lives through music.

SET LIST
"Mother Nature"
"Free & Equal" (feat. Sampa The Great)
"Afirika"
"Pata Pata"

MUSICIANS
Angélique Kidjo: vocals
Sampa The Great: vocals
Cassondra James Kellam: vocals
Stephanie Fisher Alvarenga: vocals
Dominic James: guitar, vocals
Michael Olatuja: bass, vocals
Etienne Stadwijk: keyboard
Edgardo "Yayo" Serka: drums
Magatte Sow: percussion

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer/Series Creator: Bob Boilen
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Michael Zamora, Pierre Kattar, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Natasha Branch
Production Assistants: Jill Britton, Joby Tanseco
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Ashley Pointer, Maia Stern
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #angeliquekidjo

[renia]

The first Tiny Desk performer to get out from behind the desk and dance for the ancestors.

Angélique, you do well. 🇧🇯🇧🇯🇧🇯

[nyguezz]

Me being a Venezuelan and watching this, I realize how much African heritage we do have in our country, and it's so beautiful and colorful.

[munyamubaiwa]

Mama Africa never disappoints. She is so cool and proudly African. Our treasure here in Africa. Love you Angelique from Zimbabwe Africa.

[neema]

People have no idea how much this lady means to me and Africans in general.
In simple words, she sang my lullabies growing up. I’m in my late 30s. Proud African, I am

[jimcole]

I actually got chills when she brought out Sampa. I love these two queens together.

[tuckerbryan]

This proves NPR’s absolute commitment to music from wherever it flows. Most broadcasters would choose a high profile artist for their 1000th broadcast. NPR chooses an AWESOME performer from Benin. The epitome of what NPR stands for.
Thank you for introducing me to most of my current music collection.
Here’s to the next 1000.

[julietkurui]

Her energy is unmatched. An African treasure with an African spirit

[fiifiakrofi]

I was just wondering how they could contain Angélique in that tiny desk. She hard her own plans 😀😀 always bringing the energy, the love and passion

[michaelagueh]

As a beninese I’m so proud to see this amazing African music queen on tiny desk tonight.
Such a nice surprise !
She’s so talented and has done a lot for Benin 🇧🇯
The fact that she has been invited makes me so proud of her and my country 🇧🇯🇧🇯🇧🇯🇧🇯

[nicholasparker.]

Hey, NPR. Happy 1, 000th Tiny Desk. These give me so much nostalgia. Glad to know you guys are well over there. Congratulations, you deserve it.

[SoftEarthHoney]

Madam Kidjo is one of the most talented artists ever! She blessed the Tiny Desk office while honoring the ancestors. What a phenomenal woman!

[Rona_actually]

She was the perfect guest for this episode ❤️ and she brought Sampa
Love from Zambia 🇿🇲🇿🇲🇿🇲

[franciscaantunes]

Perfect guest for your 1000th concert, always sublime Angelique

[alaerelifestyle]

My mom used to play her so much when I was younger, and I saw her live a few years ago it was amazing! Africa to the world 🤎

[ChelyAmour]

Yes!! We need more African joy and wisdom like hers to pierce our world 💕💕💕 making me smile so big this am!!

[ushasrinivasan]

Ms.Angelique and her triumphant homage to nature and humanity, her proud African heritage shine through in this concert. The woman is gorgeous, her voice is assertive and confident as she sings for the virtues that elevate human beings.

[jeyonce]

The Tiny Desk could not contain her. 💃🏿💃🏿 I love her energy. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️🔥 🔥 🔥

[PrimordialKrishna]

I remember hearing Ms. Kidjo’s song “Wele Wele” on FIFA 07 for the PSP and was completely in awe. She’s so sick 🔥

[sebespringmusic]

I saw Angélique Kidjo and I screamed!!! Stopped everything I was doing just so I could watch this Queen 👑💝 Thank you Tiny Desk 🙌🏾🥰 Yall stay winning

[asmodeo]

The “NPR Tiny Desk concerts” are now a trademark and a equal to “quality”
Many thanks for all the job that means this videos!!