Angélique Kidjo Becomes First Black African Performer to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Angélique Kidjo, a renowned musician from Benin, has made history by becoming the first black African performer to earn a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. At 64, Kidjo, who has won five Grammy Awards and released 16 albums over a career spanning more than four decades, joins a select group of icons. The announcement was made as part of the 2026 class of Walk of Fame honorees, which includes other celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, and Shaquille O’Neal. Kidjo is praised for her unique ability to blend West African music styles with genres like funk, jazz, and R&B, earning her global recognition. She has collaborated with high-profile artists such as Burna Boy, Sting, and Alicia Keys. Kidjo joins South African actress Charlize Theron as one of the few African stars on the Walk of Fame. While the exact date of her star’s unveiling is still to be confirmed, the recognition marks another milestone in her illustrious career. Kidjo, who moved to Paris in 1983 due to political oppression in her home country, has also been an advocate for humanitarian causes, serving as a UNICEF and Oxfam ambassador and founding the Batonga Foundation to promote the education of young girls in Africa.