Angélique Kidjo Makes History on Hollywood Walk of Fame

​LOS ANGELES — Legendary Beninese singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo has etched her name into entertainment history, becoming the first African musician and the first Black African artist to receive a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.

​The five-time Grammy Award winner was presented with the 2,854th star in the Recording category during a landmark ceremony held at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, directly opposite the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The celebration brought together a star-studded gathering of global entertainment figures, including Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe, Recording Academy Chief Executive Officer Harvey Mason Jr., Beninese actor Djimon Hounsou, and Nigerian Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold.

​A Monumental Milestone for African Music

​The prestigious honor caps more than four decades of relentless artistic brilliance, cultural advocacy, and humanitarian work by the 66-year-old music icon. Since beginning her professional journey, Kidjo has released 18 studio albums, seamlessly bridging traditional Beninese rhythms with elements of Afropop, jazz, funk, reggae, and American soul.

​Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez praised the singer’s far-reaching cultural footprint.

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​”Angélique Kidjo’s extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents,” Martinez stated. “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.”

​Willem Dafoe lauded Kidjo as “without a doubt the hardest working woman in show business,” highlighting her dual dedication to artistic excellence and active humanitarianism. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. echoed those sentiments, noting that Kidjo represents the rare class of artists whose work carries a profound, purposeful impact well beyond the stage.

​A Collective Triumph

​True to her lifelong role as a cultural ambassador, Kidjo emphasized that the monumental recognition belongs to the entire African continent rather than to her alone.

​”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 declared during her acceptance speech. Reflecting on her journey from Ouidah, Benin, she added, “It’s not just my star, it’s our star. I hope this star can be a reminder to young people to dream big, to stay true to who they are, and to never let anyone tell them where they can or cannot go.”

​Throughout her illustrious career, Kidjo has collaborated with a vast array of global superstars, including Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, John Legend, and prominent African acts such as Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, and Mr Eazi. Beyond her musical achievements, she has served as a dedicated UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002, tirelessly championing girls’ education and women’s empowerment across Africa.

​In honor of the historic occasion, the President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Ron Frierson, officially proclaimed August 18 as Angélique Kidjo Day in Hollywood.