Angelique Kidjo has been named a recipient of Sweden’s prestigious Polar Music Prize, sometimes dubbed ‘the Nobel Prize of music’.
Founded in 1989 by late Abba manager and lyricist Stig Andersson, it recognises exceptional musical achievements and comes with a cash prize of 600,000 kronor (£47,000).
This year’s laureates also include Island Records founder Chris Blackwell and classical composer Arvo Pärt.
All three will be honoured in the presence of the Swedish Royal Family at a ceremony and banquet on 23 May at Stockholm’s Grand Hotel.
“My head is still spinning,” says Kidjo. “Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and say, ‘Huh? Is this still happening?'”
The star was born in Benin, West Africa, and was introduced to a wide range of artists by her parents – from African artists like Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba to the rock, pop, and soul of the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
