Angélique Kidjo

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo shares her vibrant energy and dedication to activism alongside journalist Femi Oke. They discuss how joy fuels her music and the importance of education, especially for women and girls in Africa. Angélique emphasizes the transformative power of laughter and live performances to uplift communities. She highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for empowerment, inspiring stories of young girls making change, and her reflections on accolades versus the true essence of artistry.

Sampa The Great is a songwriter, rapper, and singer from Zambia. She was based in Australia for years, but came back to Zambia in 2020, shortly before the pandemic hit. When she couldn’t travel, she decided to make her next album there in Lusaka. The album is called As Above, So Below, and it was produced by Mag44. In this episode, Sampa the Great and Mag44 break down the closing song "Let Me Be Great," which features vocals from legendary West African singer Angélique Kidjo, winner of 5 Grammys and one of TIME’s Most Influential People. I got to speak to Angélique Kidjo in her studio in Paris, and I spoke to Sampa the Great and Mag44 in Lusaka. Together, the three of them tell the story of how they made "Let Me Be Great." For more, visit songexploder.net/sampa-the-great.