Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first Black African performer selected to receive a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame, joining a select class of 35 honorees announced for the 2026 induction.
The Beninese music legend, widely hailed as Africa’s “premier diva,” was recognized for her extraordinary global impact on music and culture. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce revealed the list on Wednesday during a press conference, highlighting Kidjo’s trailblazing career and influence across genres.
Kidjo, 64, is a five-time Grammy Award winner with a music career spanning over four decades and 16 studio albums. Her commanding voice and distinctive sound blending West African traditions with funk, jazz, R&B, and Latin music, have earned her a loyal international fanbase.
Born and raised in Cotonou, Benin, Kidjo began her career singing in local bands before fleeing to Paris in 1983 to escape political repression under Benin’s then-communist regime. “From the moment the communist regime arrived in Benin, I became aware that the freedom we enjoy can be snatched away in a second,” she told the BBC in 2023.
In France, she found creative freedom and began performing as a backing vocalist, eventually launching her solo career in 1990 with the album Parakou. Since then, she has collaborated with global stars such as Burna Boy, Alicia Keys, Sting, Philip Glass, and Carlos Santana — a testament to her musical versatility and reach.
Kidjo’s impact extends far beyond music. She is a UNICEF and Oxfam goodwill ambassador and the founder of the Batonga Foundation, which supports the education of young girls across Africa. She has also become a vocal advocate for African talent and female empowerment in the arts.
In earning a place on the Walk of Fame, Kidjo joins fellow African star Charlize Theron, the white South African actress who received her star in 2005. Kidjo is the first Black African artist — male or female — to be accorded this honor, marking a historic moment for African representation in global entertainment.
Her induction ceremony date has yet to be announced. Once selected, recipients have up to two years to schedule the official unveiling of their star.
From Benin to Paris to global stages, Kidjo’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride — and her latest accolade is a symbolic and significant recognition of African artistry on one of the world’s most iconic avenues.
