Angélique Kidjo Makes History as First Black African Artist Honoured With Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Beninese music legend Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first Black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a major milestone for African music on the global stage.

The five-time Grammy Award winner was honoured on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, during a ceremony in Los Angeles, where she unveiled the 2,854th star in the Recording category.

Kidjo’s star was installed at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, directly opposite the famous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The ceremony was hosted by Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson and featured tributes from actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce also declared August 18 as Angélique Kidjo Day in Hollywood ahead of the unveiling, celebrating her decades-long contribution to music and humanitarian causes.

Speaking at the event, the 66-year-old singer described the recognition as more than a personal achievement, saying it represented the impact and influence of African music worldwide.

“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world, what we continue giving to the world; without us there’s no music possible [on] this planet,” Kidjo said.

She dedicated the honour to the continent and expressed hope that the achievement would create opportunities for more African artists. “It’s not just my star, it’s our star,” she said, adding that she believed she would not be the last African musician to receive the recognition.

Kidjo celebrated the moment by performing and dancing after thanking her family, supporters and team. Mason Jr. praised her as an artist who had transformed global music while breaking barriers through her work.

“This star is a permanent symbol; it’s not going anywhere, and it’s a symbol of your achievements,” Mason Jr. said. He added that her true legacy lives through the people she has inspired and the connections she has created around the world.

Born in Ouidah, Benin, in 1960, Kidjo built a career spanning more than four decades, blending West African sounds with jazz, funk, R&B, gospel and Latin influences. She has released 18 albums and collaborated with international stars including Burna Boy, Alicia Keys, Sting, Bono and Peter Gabriel.

Her Grammy success began with Djin Djin in 2008, followed by awards for Eve, Sings, Celia, and Mother Nature. Beyond music, she has also gained recognition for her humanitarian work through the Batonga Foundation, which supports education and empowerment programmes for girls and young women across Africa.

Kidjo, who has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002, continues to use her platform to promote social development. Her latest album, HOPE!!, released in April 2026, features collaborations with artists including Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Davido and Ayra Starr.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame honour places Kidjo among global entertainment icons and represents a historic moment for African representation in one of the world’s most recognised cultural landmarks.