From birth, Angélique Kidjo was surrounded by her mother's theater troupe of dancers and singers. She fell in love with the songs and learned many by heart. When the little girl playing the part of a princess fell ill, her mother threw Kidjo out onto the stage to perform and, as she writes, "I was six years old and I've not stopped singing since."
Spirit Rising brings to life the woman behind the music that has captured audiences around the world. From Benin, West Africa, to Paris and the United States, Kidjo always had one goal in mind: to do what she wanted to do with her life--sing--for "when you feel the music, you forget your worries and discover truths about yourself." Rich in details about life as a black woman trying to make it as a singer, Kidjo's memoir pays homage to the many musicians she's performed and recorded with, as well as two important role models, Miriam Makeba and Aretha Franklin, who inspired her to write and perform her own songs based on her African roots.
Interspersed with color photographs and reflections on the evolution of her albums and live concert hall performances, Spirit Rising delights readers with details of Kidjo's family life. For any reader who has enjoyed her music, this exciting and inspirational memoir is a perfect complement. --Lee E. Cart, freelance writer and book reviewer