JANUARY 23RD, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANGELIQUE KIDJO TO RELEASE “DJIN DJIN” MAY 1ST VIA
RAZOR & TIE AND STARBUCKS ENTERTAINMENT; ALBUM
FEATURES DUETS WITH JOSH GROBAN, ALICIA KEYS, PETER
GABRIEL, JOSS STONE, CARLOS SANTANA AND MORE
KIDJO TAPPED AS SOLE SUPPORT FOR JOSH GROBAN ON
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY
(New York, NY) – On May 1st, Razor & Tie and Starbucks Entertainment will co-release
DJIN DJIN (pronounced “gin gin”), the new album by international music star and
UNICEF goodwill ambassador Angelique Kidjo. Produced by the legendary Tony
Visconti (David Bowie, Morrissey, T. Rex), DJIN DJIN finds the Benin-born Kidjo
partnering with such luminaries as Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, Carlos
Santana, Joss Stone and Ziggy Marley to create an album which is truly global in scope.
Other special guests on the album include Amadou and Mariam and Branford Marsalis.
The CD will be available simultaneously at Starbucks Company-operated locations in the
U.S. and Canada as well as traditional retail.
Razor & Tie Co-Owners Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam stated, “We are thrilled to be
joining forces with Starbucks to release the brilliant new album by Angelique Kidjo.
Since they began their involvement with music, Starbucks has always been forward-
thinking in introducing world-class talent to their patrons. The caliber of the guests on the
album is a testament to Kidjo’s talent, passion and ability to reach diverse audiences
worldwide.” “Angelique Kidjo is a treasure. Her remarkable music has captivated
audiences around the world. We know she is someone our customers are going to
love,” said Ken Lombard president Starbucks Entertainment. “We are proud to team
with Razor & Tie to co-release this extraordinary CD.”
Inspired by the traditions and culture of Kidjo’s native Benin in West Africa, the title of the
album refers to the sound of the bell that greets the beginning of a new day for Africa.
Similar to Kidjo’s recent works, DJIN DJIN finds Angelique singing in her native
languages as well as in English and French. As a child, Kidjo was mesmerized by an
iconic album cover of Jimi Hendrix, which led her to follow the African roots of music
from the United States, Brazil and the Carribean. The results were the Grammy-
nominated trilogy of albums, OREMI, BLACK IVORY SOUL and OYAYA. On DJIN
DJIN, Angelique returns to her Beninese roots, building an album around the most
traditional rhythms from her country. With the help of accomplished West African
musicians, she recorded DJIN DJIN at Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studio in New York
City.
Angelique’s dream was to invite a group of musical friends to step into her world so that
they could share the richness and beauty of her culture. Each of the guests holds a
special place in Kidjo’s heart not only for their incredible musicianship, but for their
unique connections to Africa. Artists such as Peter Gabriel and Alicia Keys have been
tireless in their charitable work for various African causes. Carlos Santana told Kidjo
that his music has always been inspired by the music of Africa.
One of the album’s stand-out tracks is a cover of Sade’s moving “Pearls”, a duet
between Kidjo and Josh Groban that includes the signature guitar work of Carlos
Santana. Groban was so impressed by Kidjo that he asked her to be the sole support
for his entire upcoming North American tour. Of Kidjo, Groban stated, “I have been a fan
of Angelique’s for many years now. Her voice, her spirit, the way she connects is awe-
inspiring and I’m so honored to have collaborated with her. She also has a wicked
sense of humor and I am positive our time together on tour will be a blast.” The trek
kicks off on February 17th in Verona, NY at Turning Stone Events Center. The full
itinerary is listed below.
Angelique Kidjo began performing in the Beninese port village of Cotonou. The political
turmoil in her country led her to pursue her career in Paris, the capital of world music.
There, Kidjo’s striking voice and stage presence, and her fluency in multiple cultures and
languages won her respect from her peers and expanded her following across national
borders. It also earned her access to activists who sensed humanitarian passion in the
words of her songs, resulting in her long-term dedication to global charity work.
Kidjo has traveled far, mesmerizing audiences on countless stages, speaking out on
behalf of the children in her capacity as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. Now with DJIN
DJIN and the return to her musical roots, Kidjo has truly closed the circle in her life as
she brings international artists to the musical world of her native country.
DJIN DJIN track listing:
1. Ae Ae
2. Djin Djin featuring Alicia Keys and Branford Marsalis
3. Gimme Shelter featuring Joss Stone
4. Salala featuring Peter Gabriel
5. Senamou featuring Amadou and Mariam
6. Pearls featuring Josh Groban and Carlos Santana
7. Sedjedo featuring Ziggy Marley
8. Papa
9. Arouna
10. Awan N’La
11. Emma
12. Mama Golo Papa
13. Lonlon (Ravel’s Bolero)
Angelique Kidjo on tour supporting Josh Groban:
FEBRUARY
17 Verona, NY Turning Stone Events Center
18 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
20 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
21 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
23 Detroit, MI The Palace
24 Chicago, IL United Center
26 London, ON John Labatt Center
27 Ottawa, ON Scotiaplace
MARCH
1 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
2 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
4 Montreal, PQ Bell Centre
5 Toronto, ON Air Canada Center
7 Providence, RI Dunkin Donuts Center
8 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
10 Rochester, NY Blue Cross Arena
12 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
13 Washington, DC Verizon Center
16 Raleigh, NC RBC Center
17 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena
19 Dallas, TX American Airlines Arena
21 Houston, TX Toyota Center
22 San Antonio, TX AT & T Center
25 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
27 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena
28 San Jose, CA HP Pavillion
31 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
APRIL
4 Fresno, CA Savemart Center
6 San Diego, CA I Pay One Center
7 Las Vegas, NV MGM Garden Arena
About Razor & Tie
New York-based Razor & Tie is one of the fastest growing independent entertainment
companies in the United States. Razor & Tie successfully sells audio and video
products through traditional retail distribution, direct response television advertising and
e-commerce based websites. Founded by co-owners Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam,
Razor & Tie is a vertically-integrated company that encompasses a music company with
major label distribution, a home video company, a media buying company, a music
publishing business, an experienced marketing, promotion and sales team, a direct
marketing operation and a growing database of entertainment consumers.
About Starbucks Coffee Company
Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that enriches people’s lives
one moment, one human being, one extraordinary cup of coffee at a time. To share in
the experience, please visit www.starbucks.com.
For more information, please contact:
Carise Yatter/Razor & Tie
212-598-2202 or cyatter@razorandtie.com
OR
Allison Elbl/I/D Public Relations
323-822-4851 or aelbl@id-pr.com
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