ADVISORY/World Music Star Angelique Kidjo Shoots Music Video for the Second Single From the Soundtrack to "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride".

--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--

WHO:         International superstar and Island recording artist Angelique
         Kidjo.
WHAT:         Music video shoot of "We Are One," the second single from the
         Walt Disney Records' album "Return to Pride Rock:
         Songs Inspired by 'The Lion King II: Simba's Pride'."
         "Simba's Pride," premiering only on video from Buena
         Vista Home Entertainment on Oct. 27, is the
         sequel to the highest-grossing animated film of all
         time, "The Lion King." The original soundtrack to "The
         Lion King" certified multiplatinum, with more than 10
         million units sold. "Return to Pride Rock" roars into
         retail Sept. 29.
WHEN:         Monday, Sept. 28
WHERE:         Chelsea Pier
         Pier 59 and West Side Highway
         Studio 4
         New York
FOR INTERVIEWS OR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Maria Kleinman or Laura Johnson
Walt Disney Records
818/973-4375
AFTER FRIDAY, SEPT. 25, CONTACT:
Maria Kleinman                   Laura Johnson
Los Angeles                   New York (at Studio 4)
818/973-4375                   212/691-5959

Angelique Kidjo

"Music is the only thing that can bring us together."

-- Angelique Kidjo

In today's contemporary music world, there is simply no musician quite like Angelique Kidjo. Over the course of four albums for Mango, the vocalist from Benin, West Africa, has single-mindedly created a bridge that unites the rhythms and spirits of Africa with the grooves and vibes of the New World's African Diaspora, masterfully taking it to places where few world-music artists have gone before.

Now, Kidjo can be heard as she lends her unique contemporary style to the Walt Disney Records' release of "Return to Pride Rock," the album celebrating the video premiere of "The Lion King" sequel, "Simba's Pride." Her spell-binding rendition of "We Are One," offers an extraordinary experience as powerful as the video itself.

In June 1998, Kidjo climbed to an even higher level of global pop with the release of her new album, "Oremi," recorded in New York and South Africa. "Oremi," which means "my friend," is a fresh melange of deep grooves, phat beats, chank-a-chink guitars, smooth keyboards, diva harmonies and, of course, Kidjo's emotionally compelling contralto pipes.

From the hip-hop waves that drive her to her Afro-Celtic groove throat-guitar reconstruction of Hendrix's immortal "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," Kidjo's musical vision enthralls the ear. Although "Oremi's" pan-African swing beats make your head bounce and your hips sway, it is the heady vocal brew that really quenches your groove thirst.

Kidjo's vision is most vividly illustrated in her duets with jazz diva Cassandra Wilson and R&B rising star Kelly Price ("Never Know" and "Open Your Eyes", respectively).

On "Never Know," co-written with Robbie Nevil, Kidjo's ethereal Fon/English vocalizations are intensified by Wilson's earthbound scat harmonies; on the "Quiet Storm" ballad "Open Your Eyes", she and Price intuitively shadow/mirror each other so closely that they merge into one big heart of soul.

Kidjo's first performing experience was as a 6-year-old actor-dancer in her mother's theater troupe. From that point on, music became her sole passion. As a teenager, Kidjo was inspired to write songs by the sounds of Hendrix, Santana, Miriam Makeba, James Brown and Aretha Franklin; before her 20th birthday she was one of Benin's few professional female vocalists.

Difficulties with the political environment in her homeland prompted Kidjo to relocate to Paris. Thriving in the city's African music underground, she progressed from backup singer to leader of her own band within five years. Established as one of Paris's top live acts, Kidjo was quickly signed by Mango.

Her 1990 stunning debut, "Parakou," was a promising glimpse into the future that was fulfilled the following year with her Mango debut "Logozo." An aural blueprint of Kidjo's style, "Logozo" veered joyfully from the club funk of "Batonga" to the African lullaby of "Malaika." Over the next six years, Kidjo released two more albums ("Aye," "Fifa") and achieved an international hit in `94 with "Agolo."

Today, Kidjo is a bona fide global phenomenon whose performances are always legendary events. "Oremi" transfers that excitement to disc as it also opens a newer artistic door for her.

"The whole idea of 'Oremi' goes back to my childhood. Since I was a little girl I wondered how it would feel to explore the African heritage of American music. 'Oremi' could be the first part of a trilogy I would like to make -- the second stop being Brazil, the third, Haiti and Cuba. My head is always turning, but I will learn and try hard to challenge myself, keep on learning, keep on moving," said Kidjo.