Angélique Kidjo Becomes First African Artiste Honoured With Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star

Beninese singer and five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, becoming the first African artiste to receive the distinction.

Kidjo received the honour in the Recording category as part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026. The star, the 2,854th on the iconic boulevard, was unveiled at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard during a ceremony attended by actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce selected Kidjo alongside other recording artistes including Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, and Lyle Lovett. Officials described her as a pioneering figure whose four-decade career has elevated African music on the global stage.

Kidjo, known for blending traditional West African sounds with contemporary styles, knelt beside her newly dedicated star before posing with a replica plaque. In remarks, she highlighted Africa’s foundational contributions to world music.

“We Africans just don’t know what we’ve given to the world, and what we continue giving to the world for the music to exist. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet,” she said.

The recognition marks a milestone for African artistes in mainstream Western entertainment institutions. 

Benin’s leadership and music industry figures have praised the achievement as a historic moment for the continent’s cultural influence.