Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo was born in Ouidah, Bénin, formerly known as Dahomey. She grew from this enclave with a rich history to become, according to Time Magazine, "Africa's Premiere Diva and one of the most influential persons in the world." Kidjo has earned five Grammys and served as a UNICEF Ambassador. A consummate advocate for empowering and educating adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa, Kidjo is also a prominent climate change activist.
Join Afropop Worldwide host and elder stateman of world music Georges Collinet to celebrate the life and career of Angélique Kidjo. Collinet will speak about the origins, musical influences, critical recordings, and collaborations of the Beninese-French singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and activist. He'll also highlight the ways Kidjo and other West African musicians are speaking out about the climate crisis.
This event is part of Strathmore’s Windows series of performances and accompanying programs. Learn more
Lecturer
Georges Collinet
Georges Collinet grew up in Bityé, a small village in the Equatorial forest of Cameroon. His father took him to France at a young age. From there, the adventurous young man ventured to New York, then landed in Washington, DC, where he started the two-hour breakfast show Bonjour l’Afrique on the Voice of America. For over 45 years, Collinet blasted millions of African listeners with soul, funk, rock, African, and Latin music during his daily French and English shows. Maxi Voum Voum, as he was called, skyrocketed to fame as one of the continent’s most popular radio personalities averaging over 100 million listeners daily.
While running his radio show, Collinet built a varied career as a recording artist, producer, filmmaker, TV producer, and educator. During a 10-year stay in France, he became head of Radio Luxembourg in Avoriaz, a lush ski resort in the Alps, and a star presenter on France Inter, the French national radio station. Collinet also created the Maracas d’Or to reward talented African Musicians and Soul Music, the first French magazine to promote African music.
Upon his return to the US, he became a communications consultant for various NGOs and international organizations, including the World Bank. During that time, he produced many documentaries about Africa and Madagascar, and trained journalists in several African countries and India.
In 1988, he teamed up with Sean Barlow to launch Afropop, the first showcase radio program in the US media devoted to African music and culture. Hosted by Collinet, Afropop was an instant hit, airing on more than 200 public radio stations across the country as well as on the BBC. After 30 years on air, Collinet and Afropop were awarded the prestigious Peabody Award during a special ceremony at the Ford Foundation in New York City.
Collinet’s exuberance on the show opened doors for countless music fans, radio hosts, journalists, presenters, educators, and African musicians.