Angélique Kidjo will release a new studio album, Hope!!, on April 24, bringing together a wide-ranging set of collaborators and a clear personal purpose: to turn grief into something uplifting. The project, led by the Beninese singer-songwriter and out April on Warner, arrives as Kidjo prepares to tour North America and Europe in support of the record.
The first single, “Fall on Me,” pairs Kidjo with gospel-tinged keyboardist and singer PJ Morton. Across the album she works with an unusual mix of stars: pop producer Pharrell Williams (who produced three tracks at his Paris studio), Nile Rodgers, Quavo, Ayra Starr, and The Gap Band’s Charlie Wilson, among others. The record follows her 2021 release, Mother Nature, and aims for a similarly broad, cross-genre reach.
The album is a dedication to Kidjo’s late mother; its final track revisits the Swahili love song Malaika, chosen because it was her mother’s favorite. That personal thread runs through Hope!!, which pairs upbeat rhythms with reflective lyrics.
Kidjo describes her aim less as an escape than a remedy: having sung since childhood she says she sees music as a way to restore joy and resilience at a troubled moment for many listeners. The new songs are framed to rekindle optimism while showcasing contemporary African and diasporic voices.
What’s on the record
- 01 Bando (feat. Pharrell & Quavo)
- 02 Aye Kan (feat. Ayra Starr)
- 03 No Stopping Us
- 04 Fall On Me (feat. PJ Morton)
- 05 Oyaya (feat. Nile Rodgers & IZA)
- 06 Superwoman (feat. Dadju)
- 07 I’m On Fire (feat. The Cavemen)
- 08 You Can
- 09 Kakua (feat. Diamond Platnumz)
- 10 Sunlight To My Soul (feat. Soweto Gospel Choir)
- 11 For Me (feat. Charlie Wilson)
- 12 Big Heart
- 13 Jerusalema
- 14 Joy (feat. Davido)
- 15 Nadi Balance (feat. Fally Ipupa, The Cavemen, Sheila Maurice-Grey)
- 16 Malaika (feat. Florent Pagny)
The mix of established names and rising stars underlines Kidjo’s role as a bridge between musical generations and geographies — West Africa, Europe, North America and beyond. For editors and listeners tracking global pop, Hope!! is notable for its roster and the way it folds disparate styles into a single artistic statement.
Tour dates (selected)
- Mar 26 — Ann Arbor, MI — Hill Auditorium
- Mar 28 — Somerville, MA — Somerville Theatre
- Apr 9 — North Bethesda, MD — The Music Center at Strathmore
- Apr 11 — Princeton, NJ — McCarter Theatre Center
- Apr 25 — Stanford, CA — Bing Concert Hall
- May 3 — La Jolla, CA — The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
- May 6 — Cenon, France — Le Rocher de Palmer
- May 8 — Halle (Saale), Germany — Georg Friedrich Handel Halle
- May 12 — Paris, France — L’Olympia
- May 13 — Luxembourg — Philharmonie Luxembourg
- May 16 — Brighton, England — Brighton Dome
- May 24, 2026 — Würzburg, Germany — Wurzburg Africa Festival
- Jun 5 — Dublin, Ireland — National Concert Hall
- Jun 25 — Niort, France — Niort Jazz Festival
- Jul 6 — Vienne, France — Jazz à Vienne (final date)
Why this matters now: as artists and audiences seek music that responds to uncertainty with hope rather than escapism, Kidjo’s new album positions itself as both a tribute and a collective call to resilience. The cross-continental guest list and immediate touring plans make Hope!! a release with both cultural and commercial momentum this spring.
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Hello, I’m Atlas. I explore the latest musical releases for you and guide you to your next sonic favorites.