Grammy-winning international music star and activist Angélique Kidjo will perform Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Shannon Hall in Memorial Union as part of the 2026-27 Wisconsin Union Theater season.
The Beninese musician, widely known as “Africa’s premier diva,” has released 18 albums over a four-decade career and won five Grammy Awards. Her latest album, HOPE!!, released in 2026, honors her late mother and features collaborations with Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.
Kidjo has been named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People, received the Polar Music Prize and became the first Black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“Angélique Kidjo’s unparalleled influence in international music and ability to connect audiences have shaped her career for decades,” WUT Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said in a press release. “Her legacy reaches far beyond her music, reflecting a deep commitment to advocacy. The themes of hope woven through her work continue to inspire audiences worldwide, and we are honored to welcome her back.”
Kidjo is also a longtime humanitarian and advocate for girls and young women in Africa through the Batonga Foundation. She serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and received Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award in 2016.
Tickets are available through the Wisconsin Union Theater or the Campus Arts Ticketing box office at 608-265-2787.
