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Angelique Kidjo was born in Benin. Her first performing experience was as a six year old actor-dancer in her mother's theatre troupe. From that point on, music became her sole passion. Kidjo was inspired to write songs by the sounds of Hendrix, Santana, Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, James Brown, the Beatles and Aretha Franklin. Political difficulties prompted Kidjo to relocate to Paris.Today, Angelique Kidjo is a bonafide global phenomenon whose performances are always legendary events. Her style of music varies from afro-funk, reggae, samba, salsa, gospel, jazz, Zairean rumba, soul and makossa which combined together creates her soulful unique sound of music.

Cesaria Evora, was born on August 27th, 1941 in Mindelo, Cape Verde. The "Barefoot Diva" is the by far the best known Cape Verdian singer. She sings the "Morna", the bluesy songs which have become synonymous with the region. These songs are very lyrical, yet have a melancholic dance to them, as they sing of love, longing, beauty and loss. It was the acoustic album" Miss Perfumado" which brought her world wide fame .. She now tours the world and it is her live performances which are the essence of the artist. As she learnt her trade in the bars of Cape Verde, so when she performs live the full passion and bluesy intimacy of her gutsy, acoustic songs about the hardship of her country and her own life comes to the fore.

Salif Keita - A master of West African rhythms and credited as one of the founders of the Afro-pop genre, Keita is world renowned for his live performances, soaring vocals and his emotionally-fueled songs. Born in Mali, West Africa in 1949, Salif Keita comes from a noble family, and is a descendant of Sunjata Keita, who founded the Mali Empire in 1240. The first group that he worked with was the Rail Band. In 1973, Salif Keita left the Rail Band, and with guitarist Kante Manfila he joined Les Ambassadeurs. In 1984 Les Ambassadeurs Internationales broke up, and Salif Keita moved to Paris. In 1987, he recorded a Solo album produced by Ibrahim Sylla. Salif Keita now tours extensively and is based in Paris.

Daby Touré, was brought up by an uncle up north in Mauritania. After graduating as a doctor in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott, he was sent to Boutilimit, where he married a beautiful woman who was half Moorish or Hassaniya and half Toucouleur. Daby grew up in Boutilimit, Nouakchott, and Casmance before going to live with an uncle in the village of Djéole, near Kaédi, on the banks of the Senegal. Later, he went to Nouakchott to live with his father. He began to play little gigs in bars and college parties with rock and cover bands. After finally leaving his course at Business School, he relocated to Paris and teamed up with his cousin Omar to form Touré Touré. They began to explore jazz and African music.

Ismael Lo was born into a Muslim family in Rufisque, Senegal, the son of a Senegalese father and Nigerian mother. He loved music from an early age and got his start playing a homemade one-string guitar. In 1979, a singer/songwriter invited him to join called a band called Super Diamono. Lo, with his talent for guitar playing and song writing, quickly established himself as a key figure in the band and soon became the second lead singer, backup singer and rhythm guitarist. In 1984, he left for Spain to do some painting. He began recording as a solo artist upon his return. To date he remains actively involved in sensitising and informing Africa on the epidemic. Among his many talents besides singing are; painting, writing and acting.