Angelique Kidjo, the renowned singer-songwriter from Benin, has been announced as one of the recipients of the 2023 Polar Music Prize.
The 62-year-old artist shares this prestigious Swedish Music Award with Chris Blackwell, a British music executive, and Arvo Pärt, a composer from Estonia.
Each of these awardees will be presented with a monetary reward of 600,000 kronor, equivalent to $57,700.
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Angelique Kidjo becomes the third African laureate of this accolade, bestowed annually upon individuals, collectives, and establishments for their remarkable contributions to music.
The inaugural African honoree was Miriam Makeba from South Africa in 2002, succeeded by Senegalese vocalist Youssou N’Dour in 2013.
Angélique Kidjo now stands as Africa’s most distinguished female artist, boasting an impressive collection of over 150 accolades, which encompasses five Grammy Awards.