1. Angelique Kidjo
Dissection Day

2. morning edition
Morning Edition is a radio show on National Public Radio (NPR). On January 30, 2014, Morning Edition focused on African musical artist Angelique Kidjo.

3. Directions Listen to the radio show (4 minutes):
“Angelique Kidjo Shouts Out Africa’s Women With Funk and Fire” by Banning Eyre
africas-women-with-funk-and-fire (Click “Listen Now” – scroll down for the article)
Then, write a summary of the key ideas you heard.

4. respond
In an interview in 2012, Kidjo said, “The thing I've been doing all my life is to prove that music is universal. It's the only language that links all of us together. It doesn't matter where you come from. It doesn't matter the color of skin that you have, which language you speak. Music just go right to the heart of our soul and make us see the truth or not. If you don't see the truth, it doesn't stay.”
Do you agree that music is universal? Why / not? Give an example.

5. respond
Kidjo has said that her mission is to use her musical talents for the good of humanity. She reflects this in the content of many of her songs as well as her work with UNICEF, where she strives to help the organization bring attention to African communities devastated by hunger, disease, and war.
Is music an effective way to bring attention to social issues? Why / not? Give an example.

6. More resources
Listen to songs from the album Eve:
Watch her perform:
Kidjo talks about her album Djin Djin (2007) (8 min) Read the transcript:
More about her on NPR: kidjo