​Angelique Kidjo Named First African Musician to Receive Hollywood Star

Angelique Kidjo (Beninese musician and actress)

 Five-time Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo will be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, marking a landmark achievement as the first African musician and first Black African recipient of this honor.

Born in Benin, the globally acclaimed artist boasts a career exceeding four decades and was previously hailed as “Africa’s premier diva” by Time magazine.

“Angelique Kidjo’s extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents,” Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a news release.

“We are proud to honor her as the first African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing her remarkable contributions to music and culture around the world.”

At the Tuesday morning ceremony, the 66-year-old musician will be joined by Oscar-nominated American actor Willem Dafoe and record producer Harvey Mason Jr.

“I may be the first African female singer to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I am convinced that I will not be the last,” Kidjo told AFP when her Hollywood star was announced last year.

“Many others will follow, and that fills my heart with joy,” she said at the time.

© 2026 AFP