Renowned Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first black African artist to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The five-time Grammy winner was named among the Walk of Fame’s class of 2026, cementing her legacy as one of the world’s most influential musicians.
Kidjo, often celebrated as Africa’s “premier diva,” joins an illustrious list of 35 honourees, including global stars such as Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal. The announcement, made at a press conference in Los Angeles, marks a historic moment for African representation in the entertainment industry.
With a career spanning over four decades and 16 studio albums, Kidjo has captivated audiences worldwide with her powerful vocals and genre-defying sound. Seamlessly blending West African rhythms with funk, jazz, and R&B, she has collaborated with icons including Burna Boy, Sting, Alicia Keys, and composer Philip Glass.
Born in Benin, Kidjo’s journey to stardom was shaped by both artistic passion and political adversity. Fleeing her homeland in 1983 amid government oppression, she sought refuge in Paris, where she began her career as a backing vocalist before launching her solo breakthrough with the 1990 album Parakou. Reflecting on her early years, she once told the BBC, “From the moment the communist regime arrived in Benin, I understood that freedom can vanish in an instant.”
Beyond music, Kidjo is a dedicated humanitarian, serving as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and Oxfam. She also founded the Batonga Foundation, which champions education for young girls across Africa, a cause close to her heart.
While the exact date of her star’s unveiling remains unconfirmed, recipients typically have two years to schedule their induction. Kidjo’s recognition places her alongside South African actress Charlize Theron, who received her star in 2005, as one of the few African luminaries immortalised on the Walk of Fame.
A lifelong curiosity and determination have driven Kidjo’s extraordinary path. “As a child, my nickname was ‘when, why, how?’” she once shared. “I’ve always sought to understand my place in the world.” Now, with this latest honour, her place in music history is undeniable.
