Angélique Kidjo Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Five-time Grammy-winning singer Angélique Kidjo became the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday. The historic ceremony in Los Angeles honored the 66-year-old Beninese-French icon’s extraordinary four-decade musical career, extensive global humanitarian work, and cultural influence.

A Historic Milestone on Hollywood Boulevard

Angélique Kidjo etched her name into entertainment history on Tuesday by accepting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Located at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, directly across from the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the monument marks the 2,854th star added to the famous public landmark since its initial completion in 1961.

The celebration brought together leading figures from film and music in Los Angeles just one day after the artist delivered a live performance at the Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles. Speaking to the gathered crowd, Kidjo reflected on the profound global impact of African culture. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet.

Praise From Willem Dafoe and Harvey Mason Jr.

Actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. served as guest speakers for the landmark unveiling ceremony. Dafoe, who received his own star on the Walk of Fame in 2024, hailed the singer as the Queen of African Pop and praised her unmatched work ethic on stage.

Angélique Kidjo Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame — Photo: Bluewin

The actor and the musician share a long-standing friendship dating back to 2002, when they were introduced following Dafoe’s performance in the play To You, The Birdie! in Brooklyn. Beyond her musical talent, Dafoe highlighted Kidjo’s deep humanitarian commitment, including her work with the Batonga Foundation, which strives to empower and educate young women in Africa. Kidjo originally created the word Batonga as a child to push back against people who insisted that girls did not belong in the classroom.

Harvey Mason Jr. echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that the newly unveiled monument represents more than just a permanent fixture on the sidewalk. This star is a permanent symbol; it’s not going anywhere, and it’s a symbol of your achievements, Mason said during the ceremony. But your legacy, it lives in the people that you’ve touched, that you’ve inspired, the barriers that you’ve broken, the connections you’ve created all around the world.

Global Honors and a Lifetime of Advocacy

Born in what is now the West African nation of Benin, Kidjo released her debut album, Pretty, in 1981. Over a career spanning more than 30 years and 18 studio albums, she has accumulated 16 Grammy nominations and five wins, topping Billboard’s world music albums chart multiple times with landmark records such as Logozo (1991), Djin Djin (2007), and Eve (2014). Her most recent studio LP, titled HOPE!!, was released in April 2026 and features contributions from prominent artists including Pharrell Williams and Quavo.

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Beninese-French singer Angélique Kidjo makes history as first Black African to get Hollywood Walk of Fame star — Photo: Euronews

Alongside her musical success, Kidjo maintains an extensive record of international advocacy. She has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002, spoke at the Davos Forum, performed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, and acted as a spokesperson for the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa initiative at the 2019 G7 Summit. Her prior honors include the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award, the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award, the German Sustainability Award, the Vilcek Prize in Music, and the Polar Music Prize.

Angélique Kidjo, a five-time Grammy winner, has stated that she is the first Black African woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but she believes future generations will follow.

Reactions Across Continents

The historic recognition drew immediate celebration from political and cultural leaders worldwide. Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni celebrated the achievement in a public statement shared on social media, praising the singer for raising the profile and dignity of her home country. By becoming the first African artist to receive this global honour, the Beninese icon has etched her name into history and raised the rhythms, creativity and dignity of our entire nation to the highest level, Wadagni wrote.

ANGELIQUE KIDJO honored on HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

While South African-born actress Charlize Theron received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005, Kidjo stands as the first Black African woman to receive the honor in the recording category. As her latest musical project continues to reach global audiences, Kidjo’s permanent sidewalk monument cements an extraordinary legacy bridging West Africa and the global stage.