Angélique Kidjo Makes History With Hollywood Walk of Fame

Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Beninese music icon was honored on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, during a ceremony in Los Angeles, where she unveiled the 2,854th star in the Recording category.

The milestone marks a major moment for Kidjo and African music, following a four-decade career spent bringing West African sounds to audiences around the world. Her recognition also comes as artists from across the continent continue to reshape the global music landscape, making the honor particularly significant.

Kidjo received her star at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, across from the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The ceremony was hosted by Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson, with actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. among those joining the celebration.

Angélique Kidjo Makes History

Angélique Kidjo delivers a speech as she becomes the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame:

“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… pic.twitter.com/emQKHPoIF4

— Variety (@Variety) August 18, 2026

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce declared August 18 as Angélique Kidjo Day in Hollywood ahead of the ceremony. Her recognition makes her the first musician from the African continent and the first Black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Speaking at the unveiling, Kidjo reflected on what the honor represents for her and the wider African music community.

“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…