Five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo has unveiled her 19th studio album, HOPE!!. Released via Parlophone and Warner Music France, the 16-track project is a sprawling, high-fidelity masterpiece dedicated to the memory of her late mother, Yvonne. Five years in the making, the album serves as her 19th, and a sonic manifesto of optimism and cross-continental unity.
HOPE!! features a staggering lineup of international and African collaborators, including Davido, Ayra Starr, Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers, Quavo, and the Soweto Gospel Choir. The album seamlessly blends West African traditions with R&B, funk, jazz, and Latin music. Standout tracks like Joy (with Davido) and the cinematic Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?) with Ayra Starr showcase Angelique Kidjo’s unique ability to bridge generations and genres with ease and grace.
Lyrically, the album is deeply personal, reflecting the message of resilience and hope Kidjo received from her mother. From the soulful Fall On Me to the rhythmic No Stopping Us, the project feels like a global celebration of the human spirit. The production is rich and organic, featuring contributions from legends like Nile Rodgers and modern masters like Pharrell, ensuring the album sounds as timeless and current.
Following her Grammy-winning Mother Nature, HOPE!! is already being hailed as a career peak for the Beninese legend. It is an album that demands to be heard in its entirety, proving that her influence and creative fire are more potent than ever. As she embarks on a world tour to support the project, HOPE!! stands as a definitive document of African excellence in 2026. Listen to HOPE!! here.