Angelique Kidjo has “built bridges” thanks to her Polar winner and label founder.
ngelique Kidjo said Chris Blackwell, co-winner of the prestigious 2023 Polar Music Prize and Island Records label founder, has enabled her to “build those bridges between all the beautiful music and the peoples of the world.”
The five-time Grammy-winning Benin songwriter, whose songs were featured in the historical film The Woman King, was honored Tuesday at a ceremony at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden, along with Blackwell and composer Arvo Part.
You were by King Carl XVI. Gustaf of Sweden presented the gong, dubbed the ‘Nobel Prize in Music’, recognizing the three laureates for their significant musical achievements.
The trio will receive prize money of 600,000 Swedish kroner (£47,681).
On her win, Kidjo said her life “changed overnight” when Blackwell, known for finding talent around the world, signed her to Island Records in the 1980s.
She added: “I had sent my music to every record company in Paris. Nobody was interested, nobody cared.
“Then African activist (and Senegalese music producer) Mamadou Konte sent it to someone in Jamaica who showed true passion for my work, signed me immediately and put me on the road to success.
“That person was Chris Blackwell. He has allowed me to build these bridges between all the beautiful music and peoples of the world so we can celebrate our common humanity.”
The 62-year-old musician, known for songs like “Wombo Lombo,” also said that when her mother first brought her on stage at the age of six, she was “so scared” until she was overwhelmed by the audience’s reaction audience “felt like at home”.
Presenting the award, Blackwell said, “There’s nothing easy about making music… There’s just one question: what’s more important?” To be heard or to hear?
“By listening to others, you find the space to understand their many possibilities. It allows you to bring out what is already there.”
The 85-year-old British record producer, whose label has Bob Marley, U2 and The Killers under her belt, added: “My hope is that we all continue to make music and use music as a shared human endeavor that inspires joy and delight.” and connects communities and generations in a language of harmony.
“That is, I hope, my legacy. With everyone I have worked with over the past 50 years.”
Meanwhile, Part’s son accepted his award and said his 87-year-old father – who was Composer of the Year at the Classic Brit Awards 2011 – was “heartfeltly grateful” to the awards committee, as well as the audience and fellow musicians.
Michael Part added: “Arvo is sending his love to all of you here tonight.
“My father’s music is a reminder of our common humanity, of the things that unite us rather than divide us. It is a call for love, compassion and understanding.”
The ceremony was attended by Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, who signed to Island Records in the 1970s.
The awards, created in 1989 by the late Abba executive Stig Anderson, usually recognize a contemporary and a classic award winner. However, this is the third time in the history of the award that three awardees have won.
This was previously the case with the wins of Burt Bacharach, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Robert Moog in 2001 and Grandmaster Flash, Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Playing For Change Foundation in 2019.
The award has already been given to Iggy Pop, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Chuck Berry, Ennio Morricone, Bjork, Led Zeppelin, Patti Smith, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Sir Elton John and Metallica.
The 2023 event, which featured covers of U2 songs ‘With Or Without You’, Kidjo’s ‘Agolo’ and Roxy Music’s ‘Love Is The Drug’, was broadcast live on Swedish state television and can be viewed worldwide via YouTube .
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/chris-blackwell-angelique-kidjo-island-records-sweden-stockholm-b1083223.html Angelique Kidjo has “built bridges” thanks to her Polar winner and label founder.
