Angélique Kidjo Announces Star-Studded New Album, ‘HOPE!!’, Out April 24
Five-time Grammy-winning icon Angélique Kidjo has officially announced a new studio album titled ‘HOPE!!‘, marking her next major project and one of the most globally collaborative African albums currently on the horizon. The project is scheduled for release on April 24, 2026, and arrives as a 14-track body of work that Kidjo describes as years in the making.
The Beninese legend revealed the news through her social media channels, sharing that the album reflects a deeply personal creative journey and carries themes tied to resilience, optimism and renewal. The title itself signals that intention: a message of possibility during uncertain times, delivered through Kidjo’s expansive sonic lens.
True to the global reach of her music, HOPE!! brings together a wide lineup of artists across genres and regions. Among the most notable African contributors are Nigerian stars Davido and Ayra Starr, alongside highlife duo The Cavemen.
The album’s feature list also stretches far beyond the continent. International collaborators reportedly include Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Nile Rodgers, Charlie Wilson, Fally Ipupa, Diamond Platnumz, and Brazil’s IZA, among others—underscoring Kidjo’s reputation as one of African music’s most internationally connected voices.
According to early reports, ‘HOPE!!‘ has been nearly five years in development, a process Kidjo has described as both emotionally and creatively significant. The album is also dedicated to her late mother, making the project particularly personal within her long and celebrated catalogue.
With the announcement, anticipation is already building around the album’s sound and cultural scope. Kidjo’s past projects have consistently blended West African rhythms, global pop, soul and funk influences, often turning her albums into meeting points between African music traditions and the wider world.
For decades, Angélique Kidjo has stood at the forefront of African music’s global movement, winning multiple Grammys and collaborating with artists across continents. The upcoming ‘HOPE!!‘ album appears set to continue that legacy, bringing together Afrobeats, world music and pop voices in a single project aimed at both celebration and reflection. As April approaches, ‘HOPE!!‘ is shaping up to be one of the most notable African music releases of the year—an album anchored by a legend but powered by a generation of collaborators spanning Africa and the wider global music scene.
