CNN
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5-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo has been introduced as one in all three winners of the 2023 Polar Music Prize, placing the Beninese singer-songwriter in uncommon firm.
Based in 1989 by ABBA supervisor Stig “Stikkan” Anderson, the Polar Music Prize, based mostly in Sweden, has been awarded since 1992 and is taken into account some of the prestigious within the music trade. Earlier winners embody Paul McCartney (1992), Elton John (1995), Stevie Marvel (1999), Björk (2010) and Sting (2017).
“Having an exquisite voice is one factor,” Kidjo instructed CNN’s African Voices in a single interview 2018. “You all the time have to consider what you need to do with that voice.”
It should be a part of solely two earlier recipients from the African continent: South Africa Miriam Makeba in 2002, and from Senegal Youssou N’Dour in 2013. Together with Kidjo, Chris Blackwell, founding father of Island Information within the UK, and Estonia’s Arvo Pärt, the world’s most carried out residing composer, shall be honored this 12 months, in line with a press launch from the Polar Music Prize.
“Being awarded the Polar Music Prize is humbling,” says Kidjo within the assertion. “I’ve no phrases to precise how vital it’s to me. It comes with a way of duty that’s given to me as an artist to proceed to do nice work. I’ll do my finest to be a proud recipient of the Award via my work as an envoy for good will of UNICEF, on behalf of kids, and as an envoy for music, to assist create a world the place we will all reside in peace”.
The ceremony will happen on Might 23 in Stockholm.
