Angelique Kidjo becomes first Black African artist on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first African musician and first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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

The ceremony was attended by actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.

The honour marks a major milestone in Kidjo's more than four-decade career, during which she has taken African music to global audiences by blending traditional sounds from her native Benin with jazz, funk, pop, gospel and other influences.

Angélique Kidjo cries as she becomes the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. https://t.co/qx9ivhNAiT pic.twitter.com/eGjMP0PkyP

— Variety (@Variety) August 18, 2026

During her acceptance speech, Kidjo highlighted the wider significance of the honour.

“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.

The singer has previously described the recognition as a collective achievement rather than a personal one.

“It’s not just my star, it’s our star,” Kidjo said ahead of the ceremony, reflecting on generations of African artists who paved the way for greater international recognition.

“I may be the first African female singer to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I am convinced that I will not be the last,” Kidjo said when the honour was announced in 2025.

Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez praised Kidjo's contribution to music and culture, saying her “extraordinary artistry and global influence” had inspired audiences across generations and continents.

Kidjo's career has been marked by international collaborations and advocacy. She has worked with artists including Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, John Legend, Bono, Yo-Yo Ma and Burna Boy, while using her platform to champion African culture and social causes.

The ceremony also carried symbolic significance for Africa's representation in Hollywood.

Kidjo is the second African-born entertainer to receive a star on the famous boulevard, following South African actress Charlize Theron, who was honoured in 2005.

Hollywood also declared August 18 Angélique Kidjo Day in recognition of her historic achievement.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic sidewalk monument along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles, featuring more than 2,700 brass stars embedded in terrazzo tiles honouring notable achievements across the entertainment industry.

Administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, it spans six categories: Motion Pictures, Television, Recording, Radio, Live Theatre/Live Performance, and Sports Entertainment.