Angélique Kidjo becomes first African musician to receive Hollywood Walk of Fame star
TheGrio...
The five-time Grammy winner made history while celebrating Africa’s influence on music and culture around the world.
Angélique Kidjo has become the first African musician and first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a historic milestone for African music. The honor follows a career that has included a performance at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral and recognition with Sweden’s Polar Music Prize.
Africa Pro 24 reported that the five-time Grammy winner received the 2,854th star on Tuesday, Aug. 18, during a ceremony at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Her star was awarded in the Recording category.
Kidjo, 66, was joined at the ceremony by actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., while Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson served as emcee.
Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez described Kidjo as an artist whose influence has reached audiences across generations and continents. Martinez said the honor recognizes Kidjo’s contributions to music and culture around the world.
The ceremony also carried symbolic weight beyond Hollywood. Kidjo framed the recognition as a celebration of Africa and the continent’s influence on global music rather than solely a personal achievement.
The Beninese-French singer has spent more than four decades blending the West African sounds of her childhood in Benin with R&B, funk, jazz, gospel and music from across the African diaspora. Her career includes 18 albums and five Grammy Awards.
Kidjo’s honors also include the 2023 Polar Music Prize, the 2016 Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award and the 2015 Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum. She was also named to TIME’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people.
Her latest album, “HOPE!!,” continues that cross-cultural approach with collaborators including Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Ayra Starr, Davido, Nile Rodgers, Charlie Wilson, IZA and PJ Morton.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame selected Kidjo as part of its Class of 2026, announced in July 2025. Other music honorees in the class included Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Lyle Lovett and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.