When U2 lead singer Bono gives you a compliment, you've got to be doing something right.
Four-time Grammy-award nominated singer Angélique Kidjo was described by Bono as "the galvanizing voice of sub-Saharan Africa," according to a press release from the Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts (CPA).
Kidjo will bring her Afro-funk, gospel and reggae sound to Eisenhower Auditorium at 7:30 tonight. Tickets are $29 for adults, $10 for University Park students and $19 for those 18 and younger.
"I expect a large crowd for her first performance here at Penn State, some who have seen Kidjo before and some who have not. Tickets are still available," George Trudeau, artistic director for the Eisenhower Auditorium, said.
Kidjo's sound draws from her West African roots. She combines folk, gospel, funk, jazz, reggae and salsa to create her distinctive sound, according to the press release.
"She is truly a unique artist. Her life history and musical influences put on a show that truly touches her audiences. She is so dynamic, and there won't be an intermission, because once she gets on stage, she doesn't stop," Trudeau said. "Her impressive vocals and style create a distinctive artistic voice. She is captivating and mesmerizing to hear live."
Kidjo grew up in a Beninese port village in West Africa and began singing when she was 6.
She moved to Paris and now resides in New York City, according to the press release.
According to the event's program, Kidjo is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and is fluent in four languages, French being her primary tongue. Her previous releases, Oremi, Oyaya, and Black Ivory Soul earned her three Grammy nominations.
Djin Djin, Kidjo's latest album release, which she said was created with the aim to get in touch with her Beninese roots, won her the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
"I've never compromised those roots because I know my identity, and I've learned that in order to give through music, you have to position yourself among other individuals who may be from different cultures and backgrounds, and then find ways to discover that we're actually not different at all," Kidjo said of making the album in the event's program.
The album's title, Djin Djin, refers to a bell that rings at daybreak in certain parts of Africa. Kidjo also collaborated with Alicia Keys, Joss Stone (dueting on a distinctive cover of "Gimme Shelter"), Carlos Santana, Josh Groban, Ziggy Marley, Branford Marsalis and Peter Gabriel.
"I look forward to listening to this type of Afro-pop music because I'm not familiar with it, and I am always open to listening to new types of music," Samantha Charleston (sophomore-sociology) said about tonight's show.
About an hour before the show, Kidjo will lead an informal moderated discussion for the CPA's Artistic Viewpoints, Trudeau said.
"There are so many things Kidjo could talk about, like her humanitarian works. We expect the audience to ask questions," he said.
Free to ticket holders, seating for Artistic Viewpoints is first-come, first-served and usually fills to capacity.
