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Angélique Kidjo’s “Do Yourself” continues to stand out as one of the most meaningful pairings in modern African music, bringing together two generations of Grammy-winning talent on a single, deeply personal record. Years after its release, the collaboration with Burna Boy remains a defining moment in both artists’ catalogs.
Kidjo has spent decades as a torchbearer for African music on the world stage, and her album “Mother Nature” marked a deliberate effort to spotlight the continent’s rising generation of artists and producers. “Do Yourself” grew directly out of that mission, arriving after Kidjo won the 2020 Grammy for Best World Music Album and publicly dedicated the honor to Burna Boy, who was nominated in the same category that year.
The song blends English lyrics with Yoruba and Fon, giving it the kind of multilingual texture that has defined Kidjo’s music for decades, now paired with Burna Boy’s distinctive vocal presence and Afro-fusion sensibility. The two voices move through the track with real warmth and chemistry, trading lines over a groove that carries both Kidjo’s traditional rhythmic instincts and Burna Boy’s more contemporary Afrobeats energy, creating a sound that feels like a genuine meeting point between eras.
What makes “Do Yourself” resonate is its origin story as much as its sound. Burna Boy wrote the song for Kidjo directly, telling her he wanted to create something for the woman he calls “Mom,” a gesture that reflects the mentorship and mutual respect between the two artists. That personal connection, paired with Kidjo’s broader mission on “Mother Nature” to elevate Africa’s next generation, gives the collaboration a weight that keeps listeners returning to it.
AFROBEAT says: Angélique Kidjo and Burna Boy’s chemistry on “Do Yourself” feels effortless, each voice complementing the other across a groove that bridges generations of African music. The multilingual delivery gives the track real emotional depth without ever losing its rhythmic pull. It stands as one of the most heartfelt collaborations in either artist’s catalog.
“Do Yourself” is an exciting track with captivating energy, impressive delivery, and a memorable sound. Make sure you listen to this impressive song and add it to your playlist today.
Do Yourself By Angélique Kidjo BELOW



