Angelique Kidjo Becomes First African Musician To Get Hollywood Star

Beninese music legend Angélique Kidjo has made history by becoming the first African musician and the first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Angélique Kidjo was honoured with the 2,854th star during a ceremony that celebrated her decades of work and her influence on music and culture around the world.

The event attracted notable personalities from the entertainment industry, including Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou and Nigerian Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold.

Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson hosted the ceremony on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Dafoe was among those who paid tribute to Kidjo, describing her as one of the hardest-working people in show business.

“Without a doubt the hardest working woman in show business,” Dafoe said, describing Kidjo as “an incredibly kind and giving person and a real activist.”

Mason Jr. highlighted the purpose behind Kidjo’s career, saying her influence goes beyond her performances and reflects a deeper commitment to using music to make a difference.

“I spent much of my career among artists, and every once in a while, you experience someone whose impact extends beyond the stage,” he said.

“Someone who isn’t just an artist, but there’s purpose behind the art. Angélique is absolutely one of those rare artists.”

In her acceptance speech, Angélique Kidjo used the occasion to celebrate Africa and its enormous contribution to world culture.

She said Africans have played a major role in shaping global music and stressed that the recognition should not be viewed as a personal achievement alone.

“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world, what we continue giving to the world; without us there’s no music possible on this planet.

“It’s not just my star, it’s our star,” she said.

The singer also reflected on her childhood in Benin, saying she would never have imagined receiving such an honour while growing up.

“If you had told me when I was a little girl in Benin that one day I would have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I never would have believed you,” she said.

Kidjo dedicated the achievement to her family, Benin, African musicians who came before her and young people across the continent who have big dreams.

Kidjo encouraged young people to believe in themselves, remain authentic and refuse to allow others to define the limits of what they can achieve.

“I hope this star can be a reminder to them to dream big, to stay true to who they are, and to never let anyone tell them where they can or cannot go,” she added.

The occasion received another special touch when Ron Frierson, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, declared August 18 as Angélique Kidjo Day in Hollywood.

Angélique Kidjo has spent more than 40 years building an internationally respected music career.

Her work combines traditional sounds from Benin with influences from genres such as jazz, funk and pop.

Her career has earned her five Grammy Awards and established her as one of Africa’s leading musical ambassadors.

Kidjo’s music has helped introduce African sounds and traditions to audiences across the world.

Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, also praised Kidjo for her lasting contribution to music and her ability to connect with audiences across generations and continents.

“Angélique Kidjo’s extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents.

“We are proud to honor her remarkable contributions to music and culture around the world,” Martinez said.

Beyond her own achievements, Kidjo has become an important inspiration for younger African musicians, particularly women.

However, the musician said she does not want young artists to copy her career.

She said, “What I love about it is that they are themselves. I don’t want anybody to copy me, I want the young women of Africa to be and love themselves and to fight for what they want.”

With the honour, Kidjo joins a distinguished list of Black music legends with stars on Hollywood Boulevard, including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner and Mary J. Blige.

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