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Beninese-French singer Angélique Kidjo has become the first African musician and the first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The five-time Grammy winner, 66, was honoured with the landmark’s 2,854th star on Tuesday during a ceremony at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Kidjo received the star in the recording category, according to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet,” Kidjo said during the ceremony, describing the recognition as a celebration of Africa’s broader cultural contribution.
Actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy Chief Executive Harvey Mason Jr. were among the guest speakers at the event.
Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez praised Kidjo’s influence, saying her work had inspired audiences across generations and continents.
“We are proud to honour her as the first African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognising her remarkable contributions to music and culture around the world,” Martinez said.
Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni also celebrated the milestone, saying Kidjo had “etched her name into history”.
“By becoming the first African artist to receive this global honour, the Beninese icon has raised the rhythms, creativity and dignity of our entire nation to the highest level,” Wadagni said.
Born in the coastal city of Ouidah in 1960, Kidjo began performing as a child before moving to France in the 1980s.
Over a career spanning more than four decades and 18 albums, she has blended West African musical traditions with R&B, funk, jazz, gospel, reggae and Latin American influences.
Her collaborations have included Alicia Keys, Burna Boy, Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Philip Glass and Yo-Yo Ma.
Kidjo’s other honours include the 2023 Polar Music Prize, Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award and the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award. Time magazine named her one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2021.
Beyond music, Kidjo has served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and founded the Batonga Foundation, which supports education and economic empowerment for girls and young women in Africa.