ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST BLACK AFRICAN ARTIST TO RECEIVE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR
Celebrated Beninese singer and global music icon, Angélique Kidjo, has become the first black African performer selected to receive a star on the world-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame. The announcement, made as part of the 2026 class, marks a watershed moment for African representation in the global entertainment industry.
Kidjo, 64, who has won five Grammy Awards over her four-decade career, joins an exclusive list of 35 honorees including Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and Shaquille O’Neal. She is widely celebrated for her powerful vocals and her distinctive fusion of West African music with global genres such as funk, jazz, and R&B.
During the press conference unveiling the list, Kidjo was hailed as Africa’s “premier diva.” She is the first black African artist to receive this distinction, following white South African actress Charlize Theron, who earned her star in 2005.
With 16 albums and a roster of collaborations with music giants like Burna Boy, Philip Glass, Sting, and Alicia Keys, Kidjo has cemented her status as one of Africa’s most influential cultural ambassadors.
Born in Benin, Kidjo relocated to Paris in 1983, citing political repression under her country’s communist regime. Since launching her solo career with the 1990 album Parakou, she has used her platform to advocate for human rights and gender equality, serving as a UNICEF and Oxfam goodwill ambassador and founding the Batonga Foundation, which supports girls’ education in Africa.
The date for Kidjo’s star unveiling is yet to be announced. Honorees are given two years to schedule their induction ceremonies.
Kidjo’s groundbreaking achievement shines a spotlight on African talent and sets a powerful precedent for future generations of artists from the continent.
