Second Cup Café: Angelique Kidjo

Originally from the Western African country of Benin, Angelique Kidjo is a four-time Grammy nominee who has recorded in multiple languages exploring a broad range of genres.

In her latest album, "Djin Djin," Kidjo teamed up with a stellar cast of guest artists on music built on the rhythms of her country.

She visits Second Cup Café — on her birthday! — to play songs from her new album.

Born to a mother who was a choreographer and theater director, and a father with an interest in the arts, it was only natural that Kidjo would end up on the stage.

She began performing with her mother's troupe at a young age, and later performed with her brother's band. She went on to record her first album at 20.

Her debut album, "Pretty," spawned two hit singles, but she soon left for France to escape the political situation in her country.

She immersed herself in the vibrant Parisian music scene of the early 1980s, where she became the lead singer of the group Pili Pili.

The following year, after recording several albums with the band, she decided to focus on a solo career.

In 1990 she released her solo album "Parakou," and followed that up with four more album throughout the decade.

In her 1998 album, "Oremi," which includes her cover of Jimi Hendrix' "Voodoo Child," she explored R&B and its African roots. In her 2002 album, "Black Ivory Soul," she demonstrated the influence of African music on the music of Brazil. In the final album of the trilogy, "Oyayá," she showed the connection between African music and the rhythms of the Caribbean.

In "Djin Djin," Kidjo returns to the rhythmic roots of her native Benin, bringing Alicia Keys, Branford Marsalis, Carlos Santana, Ziggy Marley, Josh Groban and Joss Stone along for the ride. The socially-conscious lyrics extend to the album's title, which press notes says refers to "the sound of a bell to awaken a new day in Africa."

Kidjo, who resides in New York, is also a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador.