“I want to show the world the richness and beauty of African culture … and I feel music is the best vehicle to carry that message.”

That mission has sustained the career of five-time Grammy Award-winner Angélique Kidjo for over four decades. Following her Proms debut back in 2019, the Benin-born ‘queen of African music’ returned for a special concert as part of BBC Proms and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, paying tribute to her African heritage with a collection of iconic tracks from legends such as Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela and Youssou N’Dour.

We were delighted that Leeds-born singer, songwriter and musician Corinne Bailey Rae made her BBC Proms debut as Angélique Kidjo’s special guest.

“I wanted to tell a story based on my personal experience and my musical background. I also wanted to speak of the struggles that artists encounter in the pursuit of their music.”

Angélique Kidjo, arr. Derrick Hodge African Symphony c80’

Conductor: Chris Cameron

There will be no interval.