African music legend Angélique Kidjo has made history by becoming the first Black African performer to receive a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Kidjo, a five-time Grammy Award winner from the West African nation of Benin, was named among the 35 honourees in the 2026 Walk of Fame class, unveiled during a press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Hailed as Africa’s ‘premier diva’, the 64-year-old singer joins a high-profile list that includes Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal.
A powerful global voice for Africa
With more than four decades of music behind her and 16 albums to her name, Kidjo is celebrated for her rich voice and her signature sound — a blend of West African rhythms with funk, jazz, and R&B.
Her list of collaborators spans continents and genres, featuring stars such as Burna Boy, Philip Glass, Sting, and Alicia Keys. She has also remained a steadfast ambassador for African culture and creativity throughout her career.
In addition to her music, Kidjo is an outspoken humanitarian, serving as a goodwill ambassador for both UNICEF and Oxfam. Her own foundation, Batonga, supports girls’ education and leadership across Africa.
From Benin to the world stage
Born in Benin, Kidjo left for Paris in 1983, fleeing the repression of the country’s former communist regime. Speaking to the BBC in 2023, she recalled: ‘From the moment the communist regime arrived in Benin, I became aware that the freedom we enjoy can be snatched away in a second.’
That experience, she said, fuelled her lifelong curiosity and activism. ‘My nickname was “when, why, how?” I want to understand things, to understand my place in this world.’
Kidjo began her career in France as a backing vocalist and rose to international fame after releasing her first solo album Parakou in 1990.
A star for Africa on Hollywood Boulevard
The Hollywood Walk of Fame currently features more than 2,700 stars and has honoured a select number of Africans over the years. South African actress Charlize Theron received her star in 2005, but Kidjo is the first Black African artist to be recognised.
The date of her induction ceremony has yet to be confirmed, but honourees typically have two years from the time of selection to schedule their unveiling.
Kidjo’s star is more than a personal achievement — it marks a milestone for African music and global representation. As she once said, African talent is not a ripple but a ‘tsunami’ — and her star now shines as proof.
