Angélique Kidjo Becomes First African Singer to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
On August 18, 2026, Angélique Kidjo, a vocalist from Benin, made history as the first singer born in Africa to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At 66 years old, the five-time Grammy Award winner unveiled her star in Los Angeles, emphasizing that music would not exist without African contributions, and she performed during the event. Over her 40-plus year career, which began in the early 1980s after being discovered by Chris Blackwell, Kidjo has released 18 studio albums. She has worked with notable Nigerian artists like Davido and Burna Boy. Additionally, Kidjo founded the Batonga Foundation, which focuses on girls' education in Africa. Both Benin's President Romuald Wadagni and Grammy chief Harvey Mason Jr. commended her accomplishments and humanitarian work.
Key facts
- Angélique Kidjo became the first African singer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- The ceremony took place on 18 August 2026 in Los Angeles.
- Kidjo is a Franco-Beninese artist aged 66.
- She has won five Grammy Awards and released 18 albums over 40 years.
- She said without Africans, no music would be possible on the planet.
- Benin's President Romuald Wadagni congratulated her on Facebook.
- Harvey Mason Jr., head of the Grammy Awards, called her a 'rare artist.'
- Willem Dafoe praised her humanitarian work via the Batonga Foundation.
- The star's attribution was announced in summer 2025.
- She was discovered by Chris Blackwell, producer of Bob Marley.
- She collaborated with Davido and Burna Boy.
- She appears at the Davos Forum to promote her foundation.
Entities
Artists
- Angélique Kidjo
- Willem Dafoe
- Harvey Mason Jr.
- Chris Blackwell
- Bob Marley
- Davido
- Burna Boy
- Romuald Wadagni
- Frederic J. Brown
Institutions
- Batonga Foundation
- Grammy Awards
- Agence France-Presse (AFP)
- World Economic Forum
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Hollywood
- Africa
- Benin
- Nigeria
- Davos
- Switzerland
- Hollywood Walk of Fame