
Yesterday, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and activist Angelique Kidjo performed hr rendition of the 1970 Curtis Mayfield classic 'Move On Up' at the kick-off celebration for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg, South Africa. The performance was broadcast in the United States by ABC, ESPN, and Vevo.
2010 marks the first year that the tournament will be held on the African continent.
It's featured on Kidjo's critically acclaimed new album 'OYO,' inspired by her life growing up in Benin. Accompanying Kidjo on vocals are U2's Bono and R&B-pop sensation John Legend, who also joined Kidjo for this crowd-pleasing World Cup performance.Kidjo, an international icon whose career has spanned three decades, will continue touring internationally throughout the rest of the year in support of 'OYO.' She will also appear on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' on July 27 where she will perform "Move On Up" backed by The Roots.
The recently debuted video, directed by Kevin J. Custer, explodes with color and features dancers from the acclaimed Broadway musical 'Fela!,' centering on the life and times of the groundbreaking Afrobeat musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Created and directed by world class choreographer by Bill T. Jones, the show is up for 11 Tony Awards, and has been endorsed by a slew of celebrities from Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith to Jay-Z. Due to the overwhelming response and forthcoming international run, Fela! will also also grace the silver screen. In addition, a biopic on Kuti's life is in the works, with Nigerian-British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor cast in the role of Kuti.
The same energy exemplified in 'Fela!' is palpable from watching the video and witnessing the free-flowing and powerful movements of the dancers and Kidjo included.
This year's World Cup officially begins June 11, with the first game taking place between host team South Africa and Mexico.
Check out the video for Kidjo's rendition of the Mayfield classic. We dare you not to dance.


Comments: (5)
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By: guokema on 6/13/2010 9:28AM
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By: juana on 6/13/2010 3:28PM
I saw FELA in NYC two months ago. The energy was explosive. The dancers in this video are also the dancers in this extraordinary play. If you haven't seen the play...Go see it now
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By: bruno on 6/13/2010 7:27PM
BEAUTIFULLY DONE, WE NEED MORE OF THIS STYLE TO COME BACK TO. I LOVE IT THANK YOU.
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By: niki davis on 6/15/2010 7:42AM
We LOVE you Angelique!
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By: ibrahim sawadogo on 8/19/2010 7:23AM
bonjour a vous angeline kidjo je suis tres content de faire votre connaissance je suis depuis mon enfance votre fanne mon reve est de vous rencontrer un jour si tout fois vous recever mon message ecriver moi a vous le staff svp faite parvenir mon message a ma fanne angeline merci pour ton oeuvre de charite faite a lafrique mon e-mail ibrahimsawadogo79@yahoo.fr mon fone 00226 70 67 38 61 ou le 00226 78 40 60 69. je voudrais votre e-mail de angeline pour lecrire svp
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