HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 18: (L-R) Ron Frierson, President and CEO, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Willem Dafoe, Angélique Kidjo, Harvey Mason jr., CEO, the Recording Academy, Angelique Jackson and Jerry Neuman, Executive Committee Member, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce attend the ceremony honoring Angélique Kidjo with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 18, 2026 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Winter/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo on Tuesday became the first Black African to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In a glitzy ceremony under palm trees and picture-perfect California skies, Kidjo was feted by film stars and music industry titans as she unveiled the star on the busy thoroughfare.
“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world,” the 66-year-old said.
“Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet.”
After offering thanks to her team and family, Kidjo erupted into song as those present sat in rapt attention.
Born in Benin, Kidjo has built an international career spanning more than 40 years and 18 albums.
As well as being named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, she has also been nominated as one of Africa’s 50 most iconic figures by the BBC, and one of the 100 most inspiring people in the world by The Guardian.

Harvey Mason Jr. of the Recording Academy hailed Kidjo as a “rare artist.”
“Your example has elevated our global music community, and your work…
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