WAG Wednesday Nights

From sharing stages with Alessia Cara, Walk Off the Earth, Serena Rider, Lisa Leblanc, and opening for the 5x time grammy winner Angélique Kidjo, Kelly Bado is redefining borders in music. Her highly anticipated album, Belles Âmes, dropped in May 2025, launching an international journey across Canada and Asia and earning her Global Artist of the Year 2025 at the WCMAs. Produced by Brian “Sweetwesty” West, a Grammy-nominated, Juno-winning producer—whose work with Nelly Furtado, K’NAAN, Sia, and Maroon 5 has shaped the sound of a generation—the album is a stunning fusion of Angélique Kidjo’s African rythm, Yuna’s soulful serenity, and Corneille’s pop vibe.

Breaking new ground, Kelly makes history as the first Black Francophone artist of African descent to sign with Odd Dolls Records, a bold new women-led label emerging from the Manitoba prairies. And she’s just getting started. In 2026, Kelly takes yet another leap, unveiling her first English debut EP, produced by three-time Grammy Award winner and Juno Award recipient Chin Injeti. An unapologetic, fresh exploration of musical and cultural expression. Originally from Côte d’Ivoire and now based in Manitoba, Kelly’s deep-rooted passion for preserving languages shapes her artistry. Through her distinctive sound, she remains an ambassador for musical diversity—bridging generations, geographies, and genres with every note.