Angélique Kidjo makes history as first African musician to receive Hollywood Walk of Fame star
By Trizer Lijondo, August 19, 2026Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo has officially made history after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first African musician and first Black African artist to receive the prestigious honour.
Kidjo was honoured on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, during a ceremony in Los Angeles, where her star became the 2,854th on the famous Hollywood Boulevard. The milestone marks a major moment for African music and its influence on global entertainment.
The five-time Grammy Award winner was celebrated by prominent figures from music and film, including Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. Benin-born actor Djimon Hounsou and Nigerian musician Adekunle Gold were also among those attending the ceremony alongside Kidjo’s family and friends.
A legacy built over four decades
Dafoe praised the singer for her remarkable work ethic, describing her as “without a doubt the hardest working woman in show business” while also highlighting her kindness and activism.
Mason Jr. similarly described Kidjo as an artist whose influence extends beyond the stage, saying her work carries a deeper sense of purpose.
For Kidjo, however, the honour was not simply a personal achievement. During her speech, she used the moment to celebrate Africa’s contribution to music and global culture.
“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 in this planet,” she said.
A historic Hollywood first
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce also declared August 18 as Angélique Kidjo Day in Hollywood, adding another distinction to the occasion.
Kidjo has spent more than four decades building an international career by blending sounds from her native Benin with genres including funk, jazz and pop. Her career has earned her five Grammy Awards and established her as one of Africa’s most influential musical voices.
Reflecting on the recognition, Kidjo previously described the star as something bigger than herself, saying, “It’s not just my star, it’s our star.”
She said she carried the legacy of her family, country and generations of African artists before her.
The milestone places Kidjo alongside legendary Black artists who have stars on the Walk of Fame, including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Janet Jackson.
Her new star now stands as both a personal achievement and a symbol of the growing global recognition of African music and culture.