Angelique Kidjo and the World Cup

Wednesday June 23, 2010

From NPR

The World Cup As A Symbol Of Hope In South Africa
By Angelique Kidjo

If I tell you about my seven brothers, you will understand why soccer was so important in my early life. In order to complete the team, and though I was petite, I would always end up as the goalkeeper.

I remember, when it was announced that the World Cup would take place in South Africa, Nelson Mandela cried. I felt right away it was a turning point for my continent.

I sing all over the world, and I am trying to show the beauty and richness of Africa to all kinds of different people. I spend all my life fighting against what the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie calls the “danger of a single story” of African wars and poverty. Even when I traveled to South Africa for the World Cup, I saw the headlines on the television at the airport: One of the highest crime rates in the world, and the Colombian team robbed in a hotel room. The media want to get back to that “single story”!

But as soon as I landed, I felt the enthusiasm, joy and pride in the air. I went to the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg for a news conference about the World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert. Contrary to the predictions of the Western media, the great building that looks like a giant calabash was ready in time for the opening match. Instead of making a speech at the news conference, I followed the traditions of Benin and decided to sing a thank-you song. The sound whirled around in the empty stadium.

Read the entire article here

Baby, I Love You feat. Dianne Reeves	3:10	Angélique Kidjo
Zelie	2:04	Angélique Kidjo
Move On Up feat. John Legend	3:46	Angélique Kidjo
Ae Ae	3:31	Angélique Kidjo

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Move On Up
Afirika (2010 FIFA World Cup™ Kick-off Concert)

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