Music icon Angélique Kidjo has officially made history, becoming the first African musician – and the first Black African artist – to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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The five-time Grammy Award winner was honoured on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, at a ceremony in Los Angeles, where she unveiled the 2,854th star in the Walk of Fame’s Recording category. The honour recognises a career spanning more than four decades and Kidjo’s influence on music and culture around the world.
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A global career rooted in Africa
Born in Benin, Kidjo has built an acclaimed international career by bringing West African sounds into dialogue with genres including jazz, funk, pop, salsa and gospel. She has released 18 albums and earned five Grammy Awards, while collaborating with artists from across the global music industry.
Her achievements extend beyond music. Kidjo has long used her platform to champion African culture, women’s rights and education, making the Hollywood honour significant not only for her personally, but for African artists more broadly.
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Permission to dream big
At the ceremony, Kidjo reflected on Africa’s profound contribution to global music. Her star was unveiled in the presence of figures including actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr, who praised her artistry and lasting influence.
Kidjo further expressed that she hopes the star can be a reminder for young people to dream, stay true to who they are, and never let anyone tell them where they can or cannot go.
As reported by Okay Africa, Hollywood also declared 18 August ‘Angélique Kidjo Day,’ adding another layer to an already historic occasion.
For music lovers across the continent, Kidjo’s achievement is a powerful reminder that African music is not simply part of the global cultural conversation – it has helped shape it.
Her star on Hollywood Boulevard marks a landmark moment for African representation, while opening the door for future generations of artists from the continent.
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