Apple Music Celebrates Africa Day With Angélique Kidjo
Apple Music has announced a special Africa Day radio takeover hosted by five-time Grammy Award-winning global icon Angélique… The post Apple Music Celebrates Africa Day With Angélique Kidjo appeared first on Afrobeats Mag.
Black News 
Apple Music has announced a special Africa Day radio takeover hosted by five-time Grammy Award-winning global icon Angélique Kidjo, recorded live at Apple Music Studios in Los Angeles on Monday, 25 May.
As part of Apple Music’s ongoing Africa Month celebrations under its “The Sounds of Africa” campaign, the exclusive radio special sees the Beninese singer, songwriter and activist guiding listeners through the inspirations behind her latest album HOPE!!, while spotlighting some of the African artists currently shaping the future of global music.
Across the episode, Kidjo reflects on themes of legacy, motherhood, resilience and the worldwide rise of African music, while sharing personal stories connected to tracks from HOPE!!. The special also highlights her collaborations with a new generation of African stars including Davido, Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML and The Cavemen., alongside a featured appearance from legendary producer and guitarist Nile Rodgers.
Speaking on the growing global impact of African artists, Kidjo praised the confidence and individuality of the continent’s new wave of talent. Reflecting on Davido’s influence, she shared: “When we come unapologetically we are going to sweep the whole place up. That’s what I’m seeing, and I like to see that they are taking the baton from me and taking it to another level. I don’t want them to copy me. I want them to be themselves.” Davido’s hit record “Skelewu” is featured during the episode.
Kidjo also spoke highly of Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr, whose breakout anthem “Rush” appears in the special. “She is 23 and she has the maturity of a 60-year-old person,” Kidjo explained. “She knows what she wants when she’s in the studio… I was like ‘wow really girl, go for it!’”
A major highlight of the takeover is a heartfelt conversation between Kidjo and Nile Rodgers, as the longtime collaborators revisit memories from their decades-long friendship and creative partnership. The pair reflect on everything from their first meeting in 2001 to working together on “Oyaya,” one of the standout celebratory tracks from HOPE!!.
Dedicated to Kidjo’s late mother, HOPE!! stands as both a deeply personal and universally resonant body of work centred on healing, joy and perseverance. During the special, Kidjo emphasises the importance of optimism and cultural pride, stating: “Hope is at the centre of everything. Our spirit of joy is a resistance in itself.”
The Africa Day takeover forms part of Apple Music’s wider Africa Month initiative, continuing its “The Sounds of Africa” campaign dedicated to celebrating the artists, cities and cultural movements driving the continent’s global influence.
For 2026, the initiative spotlights 10 emerging cultural hubs helping shape the next chapter of African music: Cape Town, Harare, Luanda, Abidjan, Durban, Kinshasa, Dakar, Kampala, Cairo and Casablanca. These cities join the original five music capitals highlighted during last year’s launch: Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
Through initiatives like this, Apple Music continues to amplify African voices and celebrate the cultural innovation pushing African music further onto the global stage.
The post Apple Music Celebrates Africa Day With Angélique Kidjo appeared first on Afrobeats Mag.
