Beninese music legend Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first Black African artist to be selected for a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The five-time Grammy-winning singer was announced among 35 honorees in the Walk of Fame’s 2026 class. Kidjo, 64, was celebrated during the announcement press conference as Africa’s “premier diva”—a nod to her decades-long influence in global music.
She will join international celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and Shaquille O’Neal, who are also set to receive stars on Los Angeles’ famed boulevard.
With a career spanning over 40 years and 16 albums to her name, Kidjo is globally recognised for her powerful voice and her ability to blend West African music with genres like funk, jazz, and R&B. She has collaborated with a diverse range of artists including Burna Boy, Philip Glass, Sting, and Alicia Keys.
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Kidjo becomes the second African—after South African actress Charlize Theron received her star in 2005—and the first Black African to be honoured in this way.
Although the exact date for her induction has yet to be announced, recipients typically have two years to schedule their star-unveiling ceremonies.
Born and raised in Benin, Kidjo moved to Paris in 1983 amid political repression under the country’s communist regime. “The moment that regime came in, I understood how easily freedom can be taken away,” she told the BBC in a 2023 interview.
Known for her relentless curiosity, she recalled being nicknamed “when, why, how?” as a child. Her musical journey began in France as a backing singer, before launching her solo career in 1990 with the album Parakou.
Beyond music, Kidjo is a dedicated humanitarian. She serves as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and Oxfam and runs her own foundation, Batonga, which champions the education of young girls across Africa.
Image Credit: Vilcek Foundation
