The Grammy Award winner explained that she doesn’t make music for politicians because political powers are ephemeral, emphasizing that an artist who make music for politicians might lose relevance after a regime change.


Speaking in a podcast, Kidjo urged her colleagues to be voices of the people and not voices of the power, reflecting on her father’s advice to avoid writing for any political party, as leaders come and go, and artists who align with them fade when the power shifts.

“My father always used to say to us, especially to me as a singer, do not write music for any political party because they come and they go, and once they’re gone, you go with it.”


“Write your music with your opinions, be free writing your music. Don’t be sold to somebody because therefore, you don’t become the voice of the people anymore, you become the voice of the power. And when that power shifted, you’re off the window,” she added.

Source: The Nation