Angelique Kidjo immortalised on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Beninese artist Angelique Kidjo made history on August 18, 2026, by becoming the first Black African to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The prestigious ceremony took place in Hollywood, California, celebrating the five-time Grammy winner's extensive career and global impact.

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

Kidjo, 66, has built an international career spanning over four decades and releasing 18 albums. Recognized by Time magazine as one of its 100 most influential people and by the BBC as one of Africa's 50 most iconic figures, her influence extends beyond music. She has also been acknowledged by The Guardian as one of the world's 100 most inspiring people.

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Your example has elevated our global music community, and your work continues to remind us that music is more than entertainment; it’s connection. This star is a permanent symbol; it’s not going anywhere, and it’s a symbol of your achievements. 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.

During the ceremony, Kidjo expressed pride in her African heritage, stating, "We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet." She later erupted into song, captivating the attendees.

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The first time I saw Angelique perform live, I thought her music, her dancing, her commitment were incredible. She is, without a doubt, the hardest-working woman in show business.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, hailed Kidjo as a "rare artist" whose work elevates the global music community and reminds people that music is a form of connection. Actor Willem Dafoe praised her immense energy on stage and her humanitarian efforts through the Batonga Foundation, which focuses on empowering girls and young women in Africa. Dafoe described her commitment as an extension of her music, stirring and uplifting people worldwide.

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This is not a token celebrity involvement; it is an extension of what she does with her music. She stirs us, lifts us up, and reminds us that we’re all connected, and that love and understanding is the way.