Look To The Stars News: Angélique Kidjo

Angelique Kidjo Wants Better Birth Registration In Benin

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:35:00 +0000

UNICEF ambassador Angélique Kidjo recently visited her home country of Benin to advocate for improvements to the birth registration system.

Many children in Benin are denied the right to a legal identity, excluding them from basic services and leaving them open to exploitation and abuse.

“Each child deserves a birth certificate that will pave the way for his education, for a brighter future, and protect him against child trafficking,” she said. “When a child does not have a birth certificate, his future is jeopardized. He is like a ghost. Our responsibility as parents, caregivers and states is to make sure that each child has a right to legal identity.”

Chimes Of Freedom: Stars Cover Bob Dylan For Charity

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Two iconic forces that have impacted the past 50 years – the life-saving human rights activism of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Amnesty International and the incomparable artistry of Bob Dylan – are being saluted by 80 musicians who contributed new or previously unreleased recordings to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.

The collection is scheduled for physical (4 discs) and digital release in North America on January 24, 2012 through Fontana Distribution. It will be distributed internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company, on January 30.

Chimes of Freedom features a stellar and diverse group of artists across the generational and musical spectrum. The performers, including many of Amnesty International’s longtime supporters, range in age from teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, 19, to folk music legend Pete Seeger, who, at 92, records Dylan’s poignant “Forever Young,” with a children’s chorus.

Angélique Kidjo Visits Children's Hospital In Mexico

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0000

On her recent tour of the Iztapalapa Paediatric Hospital in Mexico City, internationally acclaimed singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo swept through corridors, scooping children into her arms, delighting patients and parents alike.

It was a joyful scene in the grimmest of places: a ward specializing in the treatment of child victims of violence and sexual abuse. Yet an innovative program known as SAPII – an acronym of its Spanish name, ’Sistema de Atención y Protección Integral a la Infancia ’ – genuinely merits celebration.

Serena Williams And UNICEF Ambassadors Film PSA For East Africa

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Four of UNICEF’s international Goodwill Ambassadors have recorded special PSAs calling on fans to support the charity in its efforts to relieve the devastating famine in the Horn of Africa.

Serena Williams, Angélique Kidjo, Yuna Kim and Ishmael Beah have recorded video messages seeking help for the millions of people facing starvation in East Africa.

The epicentre of the drought has hit the poorest people in the region in an area straddling the borders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia where families rely heavily on livestock for survival. In some parts of the region, up to 60 percent of their herds have already died while the remainder are either sick or dangerously underweight. The price of animals has plummeted by half while the cost of cereals has soared. In Somalia the price of a main staple sorghum has risen by a massive 240 percent since this time last year.

Angélique Kidjo To Chat Live Online For UNICEF

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:30:00 +0000

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo will take part in a special live online chat today.

Along with Louis-Georges Arsenault, Director of UNICEF Emergency Operations, and Maulid Aden Warfa – Emergency Specialist for UNICEF Central and Southern Somalia (via Skype from Nairobi) – Kidjo will be part of a live chat on Livestream, Facebook, and Twitter (#askUnicef) about the situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, in which everyone is encouraged to join in and ask UNICEF questions, where a child survival crisis has taken millions of children to the brink.

Find out more about the crisis in the Horn of Africa – how it happened, what is happening, what needs to be done – and its impact on children. Angelique Kidjo will bring her own experience as an African, who has travelled extensively to developing countries. Louis-Georges, who just returned from the region and Maulid, who is currently based in Nairobi and is frequently in Somalia, will be sharing their own perspectives on the current situation.

Scarlett Johansson And Kristin Davis Speak Out Against Global Food Crisis

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Leading actors Scarlett Johansson and Kristin Davis, photographer Rankin, supermodel Helena Christensen and TV presenter Zoe Ball are among the stars joining Oxfam in putting out a call to fix the broken global food system, which is failing to feed nearly a billion people each day.

The international food system – which takes food from the fields to our plates – is currently leaving one in seven people going hungry every day and, according to Oxfam, the situation is getting much worse. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Angélique Kidjo and international actor Gael Garcia Bernal are also among the names joining Oxfam calling for governments and big businesses to act now and fix it, to avoid the first ever global food crisis.

Mia Farrow And Angélique Kidjo Honored For Charity Work

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:30:00 +0000

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors Mia Farrow and Angélique Kidjo have been separately honored for their humanitarian work and commitment to the cause of children with three prestigious awards this week.

Mia Farrow, actress and activist, received the 2011 Marian Anderson award yesterday in recognition of her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children and women in countries affected by conflict and violence, including Chad, Darfur and Haiti.

Starbucks To Release Celebrity Charity CD For Maternal Health

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Starbucks is to release an exclusive companion CD inspired by a new documentary produced and directed by Christy Turlington on April 12, featuring tracks by Madonna, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, the Dixie Chicks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen, Martha Wainwright, Jennifer Lopez and others.

A portion of the sale of each CD sold will be donated to CARE and Every Mother Counts.

Sting To Feature On Celebrity Charity Album For Nuclear Disarmament

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:30:00 +0000

On May 10, Across the Universe Records will release Jonathan Elias’ ‘Prayer Cycle 2: Path To Zero,’ a collection of music produced by the celebrated composer that features a stunning array of world-renowned musicians and activists. Proceeds from the record will be donated to Global Zero, an international organization dedicated to nuclear disarmament. Contributors include Sting, Trudie Styler, Angélique Kidjo, Robert Downey Jr, Sinead O’Connor, Serj Tankian and more.

“‘Path to Zero’ is a classically influenced set of world prayers, inspired by the survival of hope in a world living under the shadow of the nuclear threat. As an artist leaving a legacy to my children, it’s my prayer that they will be able to succeed in recognizing and changing the path we have chosen for the world, even if we cannot,” says Elias.

The CD is an eclectic mix of music with a sweeping number of influences from all over the world and across multiple genres—classical prayer/devotional music, spoken word, vintage radio samples, rock and more. “Having worked on so many different styles of music, I feel it’s important to cross-pollinate in my own work,” says Elias. On ‘Prayer Cycle 2’ his commitment to this challenge is brilliantly displayed. The CD features over a dozen different artists, multiple languages and musical genres. Additional contributors include Jonathan Davis of Korn, Afro-pop singers Salif Keita and Angelique Kidjo, Jon Anderson of Yes, Lilli Elias and Pakistan’s Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Haiti One Year On: The Care For Haiti Celebrity Charity Album

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:30:00 +0000

America’s top Grammy nominated artists and internationally celebrated musicians, Slip N Slide Records and charity CARE have partnered with Melky Jean and Wyclef Jean to launch a worldwide effort, The Care For Haiti Album, to benefit women and children in Haiti, on the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

On January 12, 2011, to commemorate the one year anniversary of the earthquake, The Care For Haiti project will release the first single from the album, “Better,” highlighting the hope and future of Haiti if we unite to make things better. The song was written and performed by Melky Jean; Wyclef Jean served as the A&R.

The complete Care For Haiti Album will be released on March 8th, 2011, on to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the celebration of International Women’s Day, and will feature original songs and selections from Patti LaBelle, Natasha Bedingfield, Sean Paul, Angélique Kidjo, The Kindred Family, Talib Kweli, Brooke Hogan and many others.

Angélique Kidjo Addresses School Violence In Senegal

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0000

UNICEF ambassador Angélique Kidjo was in Senegal last week to address violence in schools.

Kidjo has been visiting Liberté VI in Dakar since 2006 to advocate for girl’s education, and was horrified to learn of school violence problems in Senegal. Girls are often warned not to be alone in a room with groups of boys or even teachers, with violence problems ranging from bullying to rape.

“Kids trust adults to protect them,” Kidjo said. “That trauma lasts a lifetime.”

Stars Pen Open Letter To United Nations Climate Change Conference

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Oxfam Global Ambassadors Scarlett Johansson, Gael Garcia Bernal and Djimon Hounsou are among eight major artists and celebrities from across the globe joining Oxfam today to call on international negotiators to protect the world’s poor from climate catastrophe at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico starting next week.

The open letter to climate negotiators will be formally launched by one of the signatories: ambassador and campaign photographer Helena Christensen at a press conference in Kathmandu yesterday, after seeing steps Oxfam is taking to help people survive the changing weather in Nepalese communities. The letter calls on negotiators to put people at the heart of their discussions in Cancun to ensure a safer future for future generations.

Jackie Chan Wants You To Be A Good Citizen For The UN

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Jackie Chan, Stevie Wonder, Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour and Leo Messi are among the stars urging people to be Good Citizen Ambassadors for the United Nations.

The 2010 United Nations Citizen Ambassador video competition has launched on the UN’s YouTube channel.

“Do you want to talk to the world leaders?” asks Jackie Chan. “Use your voice and tell us how to make the world a better and safer place? Go ahead! Be a good citizen Ambassador for the United Nations.”

Celebrities Pen Letter From Oxfam To G8 Leaders

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

A group of celebrities have put their names to a letter on behalf of Oxfam addressed to the G8 leaders meeting in Canada this week.

“G8 leaders meeting in Canada this week must face the fact that collectively their countries have failed to deliver on the promises made to the world’s poorest five years ago,” wrote the stars, who include Annie Lennox, Helena Christensen, Kristin Davis, Colin Firth, Gael Garcia Bernal, Scarlett Johansson, Jim Kerr, Angélique Kidjo, Bill Nighy, Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Martha Wainwright, Desmond Tutu, classic German rockers Die Toten Hosen and many more. "Had the promised aid been delivered it would have had a dramatic effect on the lives of poor people, allowing mothers to survive childbirth, children to attend school and people of all ages greater access to medicines and healthcare.

“Where aid has increased it has made a massive difference. The number of people receiving HIV treatment, for example, has increased tenfold in recent years.

Angélique Kidjo Makes Charity Trip To Africa For UNICEF

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

UNICEF ambassador Angélique Kidjo was in Soweto last week to take part in the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert, and used the chance to visit a community in Soweto that has suffered greatly from AIDS.

The singer met with workers involved in ISIBINDI, a project initiated by the South African National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers that regularly visits children affected by the disease and helps families cope with the devastating virus.

“We help the family create a routine, making sure the children do their homework, make time to play and have something to eat before they go to school,” said ISIBINDI mentor Hloniphile Dlamini. “We also help the families with birth and death certificates, so that they can apply for child-support grants.”

Sheryl Crow And Norah Jones Raise Hope For Congo

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Damien Rice, Angélique Kidjo and Mos Def feature on a new 18-track compilation album that aims to raise hope, educate and empower individuals to be a part of the solution to the Congolese conflict.

In the Congo, rape has been used as a weapon of war to perpetrate the deadliest conflict since World War II. For many, the situation in Congo is too bleak, or too distant, to approach. The ENOUGH Project and Mercer Street Records (a signature label of Downtown Music) are seeking to change that attitude with the compilation album “Raise Hope for Congo.”

The idea for the compilation CD was conceived by Shahin Shahida — Unison Agency consultant and the executive producer of the album — after reading Not on Our Watch, a book by John Prendergast, co-founder of the ENOUGH Project, and Don Cheadle, co-founder of the Not On Our Watch organization. Shahida saw the critical need for a compilation to help open the world’s eyes to the crisis.

R. Kelly To Feature On FIFA World Cup Charity Album

Tue, 25 May 2010 11:30:00 +0000

R. Kelly will perform his new charity single – Sign Of A Victory – at the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony on June 11, backed by a 27-member African choir.

“Africa has always had a special place in my heart, both musically and emotionally,” Kelly told UsMagazine.com. “So it means a lot to me to get to work with the Soweto Spiritual Singers and perform my song at this huge event in Johannesburg.”

The single – which will benefit African charities – will also feature on a new charity CD celebrating the FIFA World Cup. Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album will be released on June 1st.

Final Line-Up For FIFA World Cup Concert Announced

Wed, 05 May 2010 11:30:00 +0000

The final line-up of artists to perform at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert in South Africa has been announced.

Five-time SAMA winners Freshlyground, legendary South African trumpeter and flugelhorn player Hugh Masekela, Soweto-based Mzansi Youth Choir, two-time GRAMMY Award winners and three-time SAMA winners Soweto Gospel Choir, and acclaimed African Hip Hop artist K’NAAN – who recently recorded the uplifting “Wavin’ Flag (The Celebration Mix)” song that serves as the anthem for the entire Coca-Cola FIFA campaign – will perform alongside previously announced African and international artists including Alicia Keys (U.S.), Amadou & Mariam (Mali), Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Black Eyed Peas (U.S.), BLK JKS (South Africa), John Legend (U.S.), Juanes (Colombia), Shakira (Colombia), The Parlotones (South Africa), Tinariwen (Mali), Vieux Farka Touré (Mali) and Vusi Mahlasela (South Africa) – at the historic event taking place the night before the first match at 8 p.m. local time (GMT+2) on June 10, 2010, at the newly-renovated Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg.

FIFA World Cup Kick Off Concert For Charity

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0000

A stellar line-up of stars has been confirmed for the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, which hopes to help unite the people of South Africa and raise money for the 20 Centres for 2010 campaign.

Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angélique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and Vusi Mahlasela will perform at the historic event taking place the night before the first match at 8 p.m. local time on June 10, 2010, at the newly-renovated Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg.

Melissa Etheridge And Rob Thomas Join Live Earth Run For Water

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Live Earth has announced that two-time Grammy Award-winner and one-time Academy Award winner for Best Song for the Al Gore documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” Melissa Etheridge, and multi-platinum three-time Grammy Award-winner Rob Thomas, will perform live at the Los Angeles and Atlanta Dow Live Earth Run for Water events, respectively.

The largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis, the Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a series of 6km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water), culminating with water education villages and live musical performances.

“I’m a long-time environmental advocate and believe strongly that it is our duty as a society and as individuals to preserve our planet and its resources,” said Melissa Etheridge. “I want to lend my name and time to this event because the global water crisis is an environmental issue that affects nearly one billion people on the planet and through this event we can raise awareness and money to help address it.”

Peter Buffett Joins Angélique Kidjo For Charity Single

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Emmy-award winning musician and philanthropist Peter Buffett has teamed up with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Grammy award-winning musician Angélique Kidjo, to release “A Song For Everyone” on February 12. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the song will benefit the Batonga Foundation, an organization founded by Angelique to advance education for girls in Africa.

Fans of Peter’s pop/rock and new age-influenced music can expect to be pleasantly surprised by the new dimension that Angelique’s signature worldly sound brings to the single. Writing in their respective native tongues, the uplifting, vibrant song has lyrics in both English and Yoruba.

Peter and Angelique encourage fans to share the music with friends and support the Batonga Foundation simultaneously, by using the “gift” function on iTunes or Peter’s online store at www.peterbuffett.com/store.

Dave Stewart Donates Suit To Charity Auction

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Musician Dave Stewart has donated the suit he wore when he accepted the Awards for Outstanding Contribution to British Music for Eurythmics (Silver Clefs Award by the Nordoff Robbins Foundation) in 2000 to the world’s leading Eurythmics fan site for a charity competition.

Ethrill.net has been collecting rare items like lithographs and deluxe books, limited vinyl and much more from fans of the band to give away as part of the anniversary of Annie Lennox’s SING Campaign to help prevent the spread of HIV in South Africa, where 1,000 people die from AIDS-related causes every day. Since 2007, SING has raised over $2 million, and helped over 100,000 people affected by HIV in the Eastern Cape of South Africa – but there is much more work to be done.

All you have to do to win is make a donation to the SING Campaign through the Ethrill.net website before December 24.

Angélique Kidjo Welcomes Young Climate Ambassadors To Copenhagen

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Angélique Kidjo performed at a UNICEF event in Copenhagen yesterday to launch the United Nations Climate Summit.

The singer was joined by singer Anggun at the event, which saw eight UNICEF Climate Ambassadors – aged 14 to 17 – generate a dialogue on how music bridges the divides of culture and age in the fight against climate change.

“Music is a universal language, and the environment is a universal place for every human being,” said Kidjo. "I’ve travelled around the world with my music and I’ve seen the power of music bringing everybody together despite language, color – despite the culture where we come from.

Jessica Biel To Run For Live Earth

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Live Earth has announced plans to implement the largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water – to take place April 18, 2010 – will consist of a series of 6 km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to secure water) taking place over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, featuring concerts and water education activities aimed at igniting a tipping point to help solve the water crisis. Jessica Biel, Alexandra Cousteau, Peter Wentz, Angélique Kidjo and Jenny Fletcher will lend their names and their time in support of this important cause.

“The Dow Live Earth Run for Water will bring people together around the world, raising awareness about the sources and consequences of the water crisis, locally and globally,” said Alexandra Cousteau, global water advocate and founder of Blue Legacy International. “It captures perfectly the interconnectedness of life on our water planet and drives home the message that the water crisis is a global issue that isn’t going to be fixed by scientists or policymakers alone. It’s up to each of us.”

Water scarcity is an issue affecting countries, communities and families all over the world. One in eight people don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. Eighty-eight percent of diarrheal cases worldwide are linked to inadequate and unsafe water. These cases result in 1.5 million deaths each year, mostly among children under five. In these areas, women and children are forced to walk 6 km (3.7 miles) each day to secure water that is likely unsuitable for drinking.

Celebrities Write Open Letter To G8 Leaders

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A group of celebrities and dignitaries signed an open letter in Britain’s Daily Telegraph yesterday, urging the G8 to give all people – rich and poor in all countries – the support they need to live decent and dignified lives when they meet for the summit taking place in Italy.

Annie Lennox, Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Angélique Kidjo, Bill Nighy and many others put their names to the letter, which will also appear in the UK’s Financial Times.

“You have a unique opportunity in Italy this year to ensure that all people, in rich countries and poor, are given the support they need to live decent and dignified lives,” they wrote. "You have taken important steps to this end at previous G8 Summits. In 2001 you acknowledged that industrialized nations had a responsibility to tackle global inequality through deeper debt relief and more aid, and you agreed to establish a Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. In 2005, you promised to increase annual aid levels to $50bn.