Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo has made history after becoming the first Black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Beninese music icon was honoured on August 18, 2026, during a ceremony in Los Angeles, where she unveiled the 2,854th star in the Recording category.
A Milestone for African Music
Kidjo’s Hollywood recognition marks a major milestone for African music and culture. The 66-year-old singer has built an international career spanning more than four decades and 18 albums, becoming one of Africa’s most influential musical figures.
Speaking during the ceremony, Kidjo said the honour represented more than her individual achievements, describing it as a recognition of Africa’s wider contribution to global music.
“It’s not just my star, it’s our star,” she said, expressing hope that other African artists would follow in her footsteps.
Hollywood Celebrates Kidjo
Actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. were among the speakers at the ceremony.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce also declared August 18 as Angélique Kidjo Day in Hollywood in recognition of the historic occasion.
Kidjo received the star at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, opposite the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
A Career Spanning Generations
Born in Benin, Kidjo has spent more than 40 years connecting African musical traditions with genres including jazz, funk, gospel, salsa and other global sounds.
Her career has earned her five Grammy Awards and numerous international honours, while her work as an artist and activist has helped bring African culture to audiences around the world.
Her Hollywood Walk of Fame star now stands as another major achievement in a career that has helped elevate African music onto the global stage.
