Source: Yahoo News 
Angelique Kidjo, one of the biggest African musicians on the world stage, on Sunday won her second Grammy for World Music album for "Eve," a tribute to the continent's women.

"This album is dedicated to the women of Africa -- to their beauty and resilience," the Beninese singer said. "Women of Africa -- you rock!" 

"For me, music is a weapon of peace, and today more than ever, as artists we have a role to play in the stability of this world," Kidjo said as she accepted the award at a ceremony in Los Angeles.

Kidjo, who is based primarily in New York, returned to Benin for "Eve" and traveled with a recorder, taping the cadences and harmonies of women's choirs.

 

Winner for Best World Music Album Angelique Kidjo addresses the crowd on stage at the 57th Annual Grammy …

 

She also journeyed elsewhere in Africa. In total she recorded more than 100 women, among them her own mother.

But the album also featured a diverse array of musical collaborators including the Kronos string quartet, the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra and keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij of the indie rock band Vampire Weekend.

Kidjo previously won a Grammy for her 2007 album "Djin Djin," which also tapped a range of guest artists including guitar legend Carlos Santana and singer Alicia Keys.

The 54-year-old singer is known for her activism. She has pressed for action on climate change and for a more sustained effort to improve public health in West Africa in the wake of the Ebola crisis.

Kidjo won out in a category that included the sitarist Anoushka Shankar and the Brazilian bossa nova legend Sergio Mendes.