Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in the United States, located in New York City. The Hall is legendary for its contributions to the culture of musical excellence:
“When the Hall’s cornerstone was laid in 1891, Andrew Carnegie proclaimed that “it is probable that this hall will intertwine itself with the history of our country.” This was true from the start when it opened on May 5, 1891, with a spectacular concert that featured famed Russian composer Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky, conducting his own music in his American debut. Since then, its walls have echoed with applause not only for the greatest classical, jazz, and popular musicians, but also for the foremost comedians, authors, social crusaders, world figures, and orators of our time.”
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Angelique Kidjo, Yemi Alade and a number of other accomplished African artists will be performing at the Carnegie Hall come March, to mark the conclusion of Angelique Kidjo’s Perspective series. The Perspective series featured three concerts curated by Kidjo, and the conclusion will be one spectacular program at the Hall in March, titled Daughter of Independence, featuring her as the lead performer. Daughter of Independence will be a celebration for many reasons, Angelique just won her fourth Grammy, and March 14 marks not only her 60th birthday, but also the anniversary of Benin’s independence from the French. In addition to Yemi Alade, Kidjo will be joined by Grammy Award-winning vocalist Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes), legendary Cameroonian singer Manu Dibango, Senegalese singer and guitarist Baaba Maal.
“When I look back at 60 years of independence for my country, I feel that my life and career have been shaped in many ways by the postcolonial history of West Africa. I consider myself a true daughter of African independence,” says Kidjo. “I hope the audience leaves the March performance understanding that it doesn’t matter where you come from; it doesn’t matter your skin color or which language you speak. Music reduces it all to the fundamental element that speaks to us all as human beings.”
-Kidjo
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This performance at Carnegie Hall will be a prestigious opportunity for Yemi Alade, and the afro-pop singer’s first appearance in that iconic space. Kidjo has long played a significant role in Yemi Alade’s musical career. In an interview with Ndani TV, Yemi referred to herself as the Grammy award winner’s ‘little baby’. The two seem to have a kind of chemistry that shows in the quality of their collaboration. Yemi Alade’s Woman of Steel track, Shekere; a remake of Angelique Kidjo’s infamous Wombo Lombo song, features the Benin singer. Yemi already revealed last year that Angelique requested the collaboration herself. A lavish and colorful music video for Shekere, complete with neck bracelets, head dress feathers and talking drums, was released yesterday.
Yemi Alade broke into the entertainment industry in 2009 when she won the Peak Talent Show. She released Johnny in 2014 and captured hearts across Africa with her energy and catchy lyrics. Since that time, Yemi has become an international symbol of our continental music. In 2019 she was featured on Beyonce’s The album and signed a distribution deal with the Universal Music Group.
Sources:
carnegiehall
The Guardian NG
kidjo
The Lagos Review
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Interesting love the update