Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo has become the first African musician and the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The five-time Grammy Award winner was honoured at a ceremony on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, directly opposite the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Her star, the 2,854th on the famous boulevard, was awarded in the Recording category.
Ceremony Attended by Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO
Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe and Harvey Mason Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Recording Academy, were present at the ceremony alongside Kidjo. The event marked a milestone in the singer's career, which spans more than four decades of music, cultural advocacy, and humanitarian work.
Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez highlighted the significance of the honour, stating: "Angélique Kidjo's extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents. We are proud to honour her as the first African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognising her remarkable contributions to music and culture around the world."
A Career Spanning Four Decades
Kidjo, 66, began singing at the age of six. Her sound blends Afropop, jazz, funk, reggae, and traditional African music, drawing from her Beninese roots while incorporating Yoruba music, Afrobeat, Caribbean rhythms, and American soul. Songs such as Agolo, Wombo Lombo, We We, Batonga, and Afirika have carried African languages and rhythms to audiences worldwide.
Over her career, Kidjo has released 18 studio albums and collaborated with major global artists, including Alicia Keys, Bono, Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Peter Gabriel, John Legend, Pharrell Williams, and Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Her five Grammy Awards came from the albums Djin Djin, Eve, Sings, Celia, and Mother Nature, each reflecting her ability to move between musical worlds while maintaining a distinctly African voice.
Social Media Reactions
The announcement drew mixed reactions on social media. User @j_blackelf commented: "Africa don't really care about that anyway, but congratulations to her since she loves it. But yeah we don't care!!" @AksumOf questioned the recognition, writing: "Since when is a fascist, genocidal, imperial state like the US of Israel the beacon of recognition for African talent? Hollywood." @NanibuLioness shared: "Congratulations Angelique Kidjo. It's happy and sad at the same. There are many talented African artists, and for her to be the first is surprising. Hollywood and it's iron gate and padlock, when it comes to recognising and awarding Black for their work or even giving them work."
In a related development, Davido announced his new collaboration, 'Joy,' with Angélique Kidjo on X, but fans expressed mixed reactions. The announcement included the release date and cover art for the anticipated music, sparking varied responses in the comment section.
