Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo has made history after becoming the first African musician and first Black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The five-time Grammy Award winner was honoured during a ceremony on Tuesday, August 18, where she unveiled the 2,854th star on the famous Hollywood Boulevard.
The recognition places Kidjo among some of the biggest names in global entertainment and marks a major milestone for African music on the international stage.
Speaking at the ceremony, the 66-year-old singer used the historic occasion to highlight Africa’s enormous contribution to global music.
«“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet.”»
Kidjo was celebrated by prominent figures from the entertainment industry, including Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe.
Mason praised Kidjo as a “rare artist,” saying her career has helped elevate the global music community and demonstrated that music is more than entertainment—it is a means of creating connections across cultures.
Dafoe also praised Kidjo’s extraordinary stage presence, energy and commitment to her craft.
A Four-Decade Musical Journey
Born in Ouidah, Benin, Kidjo has built an international career spanning more than four decades. She has released 18 albums and developed a distinctive sound that combines West African musical traditions with Afropop, Afrobeat, jazz, funk, soul, reggae and Latin influences.
Her music has taken African languages, rhythms and cultural traditions to audiences around the world. Over the years, she has collaborated with major international artists including Alicia Keys, Bono, Peter Gabriel, John Legend and Burna Boy.
Kidjo’s achievements include five Grammy Awards, making her one of Africa’s most decorated musicians on the global stage. She has also been recognised internationally for her cultural influence and humanitarian work.
In 2021, Time magazine named her among the world’s 100 most influential people. She has also received numerous other honours, including the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award and the United Nations Champions of the Earth Award.
More Than a Musician
Beyond her music career, Kidjo has used her global platform to advocate for education, women’s empowerment and opportunities for young people in Africa.
Through the Batonga Foundation, she has supported efforts aimed at empowering girls and young women, particularly through education and skills development.
Her Hollywood recognition therefore represents more than a personal achievement. It is also being viewed as a recognition of the growing influence of African culture and music in the global entertainment industry.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame announced Kidjo as part of its Class of 2026, alongside major entertainment figures including Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban and Lyle Lovett in the recording category.
For Kidjo, whose career has consistently bridged Africa with the rest of the world, the star on Hollywood Boulevard adds another historic chapter to a legacy built on music, culture and advocacy.
As her name becomes permanently etched into one of the world’s most famous entertainment landmarks, the honour stands as a landmark moment not only for the Beninese icon, but for African music as a whole.
