Kidjo has been singing since a child and has been a professional since turning 20. She released her debut album in 1989 and has gone on to record six more works. Influenced by sounds from her native village of Ouidah in Benin, Africa, Kidjo’s music combines African and Brazilian beats to produce a sound uniquely her own.

For being a non-mainstream artist, Kidjo makes the international theatre rounds pretty well. She spent the greater part of last year on the Dave Matthews Band tour, after which she headlined her own outing.

Kidjo returns to the States in late June for three shows on the East Coast. Her latest album, Black Ivory Soul, was just released this month and is being called her best to date.