NOMINEE: Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Díaz of the musical duo Ibeyi

CREATOR: Angélique Kidjo

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On 1/17/18 at 6:42 PM EST

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Creator_Nominee_Musical duo Ibeyi_542750124

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Musical duo Ibeyi are photographed for the Guardian on January 23, 2015 in London, England. LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Musical duo Ibeyi are photographed for the Guardian on January 23, 2015 in London, England. Photo by Jon Gorrigan/Contour by Getty

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Some might say Lisa-Kaindé Díaz and Naomi Díaz, the French-Cuban twin sisters behind the musical duo Ibeyi, owe a lot to Beyoncé. In 2015, she used an excerpt from their song “River” in an Instagram video she posted to tease her upcoming Vogue cover story. The next year, she featured them on her short film Lemonade. But Ibeyi hardly needed an introduction to the musical world.

In 2015, their self-titled debut first showcased their spiritual, soulful music. They're known for mixing blues, electronica and jazz, as well as for singing in both English and Yoruba, an ancient Nigerian language spoken by their ancestors in West Africa, who were then taken to Cuba on slave ships in the 1700s. (Ibeyi means “twins” in Yoruba.) Lisa-Kaindé writes the music and lyrics, and plays piano, and Naomi plays the cajón and Batá drum, both traditional Peruvian-Cuban percussion instruments.

Music is in their DNA. Their father, Miguel “Anga” Díaz, was the legendary Cuban percussionist in the Buena Vista Social Club (he died when they were 11). Their mother, Maya Dagnino, a French-Venezuelan musician, manages the band. Born in Paris, Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi spent their first two years in Cuba before moving back to Paris. But they visited Cuba often, and their multicultural heritage and upbringing is central to their music.

“Ibeyi's work is crucial today because we need to listen to music that unifies us and affirms our humanity,” says Kidjo. “When I see young African singers trying to be like Beyoncé, I'm saddened, because there will only ever be one Beyoncé, yet the world is robbed of authentic African artists. Lisa and Naomi have found their unique style in the depth of their culture—and conquered the world.”

CREATOR: Angélique Kidjo

Grammy-winning singer Angélique Kidjo has been the recipient of many honorifics: one of Africa's 50 most iconic figures (BBC), one of the 100 most inspiring women in the world (The Guardian) and one of the 40 most powerful celebrities in Africa (Forbes).

Creator_Nominator_Angelique Kidjo_611669190

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Angelique Kidjo attends the 54th New York Film Festival opening night gala presentation and '13th' world premiere at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on September 30, 2016 in... NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Angelique Kidjo attends the 54th New York Film Festival opening night gala presentation and '13th' world premiere at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on September 30, 2016 in New York City. More Photo Illustration by Gluekit; Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage/Getty

About Women of the Future

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Check the other nominees in our special Women of the Future.