Afro-house innovator AMÉMÉ reimagines fellow benin icon Angelique Kidjo's timeless classic "Agolo" via Warner Music
The West African-born producer bridges generational gap with afro-house interpretation of the 30-year-old world music anthem on “Agolo” (Next Gen)
December 13, 2024 | Afro house pioneer AMÉMÉ has joined fellow Benin-born legend Angelique Kidjo to release the Next Gen edition of her iconic track "Agolo" via Warner Music. The reinterpretation sees AMÉMÉ apply his distinctive brand of afro-house to Kidjo's timeless 30-year-old anthem, creating a powerful bridge between generations of West African musical innovation.
“Agolo” (Next Gen) arrives as Angelique Kidjo continues to cement her legacy as one of world music's most influential voices. Recently profiled in The New Yorker and fresh off a landmark performance at Carnegie Hall, the five-time GRAMMY Award-winner is currently nominated for Best Global Music Performance at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards. Most recently, she performed a rendition of “Jerusalema” at the reopening of the iconic Notre Dame church in Paris, alongside other global performers such as Pharrel Williams. Her TED Talk "Why Joy is a State of Mind" explores how music serves as the only truly global language, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with AMÉMÉ's mission of uniting dance floors worldwide.
This high-profile collaboration caps what has been a breakthrough year for AMÉMÉ. 2024 has seen him deliver standout releases on Black Book Records, Realm Records, and Defected Records' new afro-house imprint One People, while his recent collaboration with Franc Fala, "Wait For You" on Armada, has earned support from Camelphat, BLOND:ISH, Marco Carola, and THEMBA.
AMÉMÉ's influence extends beyond the studio through his signature One Tribe event series, which has expanded globally this year. After relaunching at London's fabric, the series has secured a quarterly residency at Amsterdam's Shelter, returned home to Brooklyn's House of Yes, and touched down in Ibiza and Egypt. This momentum has earned him a coveted return booking to Coachella for 2025, further cementing his position as a leading force in electronic music's new wave.
Crafting "Agolo" (Next Gen) showcases AMÉMÉ's ability to honor his West African heritage while pushing dance music forward. By reimagining a cornerstone of world music through an electronic lens, he creates a powerful connection between past and present, tradition and innovation.
AMÉMÉ' & Angelique Kidjo's "Agolo" (Next Gen) is out December 13th via Warner Music.
