Angélique Kidjo Becomes First African Artist to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Beninese music icon and five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African artist ever selected for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during a conference hosted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles, revealing the Class of 2026 honorees. Kidjo, whose four-decade music career encompasses Afrobeat, jazz, funk, and traditional West African sounds, was honored alongside 34 other global entertainment figures, including Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Shaquille O’Neal, Deepika Padukone, and Lea Salonga.

Her selection was ratified by the Hollywood Walk of Fame board of directors on June 25, after reviewing hundreds of global nominations. Recipients are expected to schedule their star ceremony within two years.

Born in Cotonou, Benin, in 1960, Kidjo rose from the streets of West Africa to become one of the continent’s most powerful musical exports. Her signature albums, such as Logozo (1991), Black Ivory Soul (2002), Eve (2014), Celia (2019), and the Grammy-winning Mother Nature (2021), have broken language and cultural barriers, reshaping how the world listens to African music.

Kidjo’s musical collaborations span continents, from working with Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, and Bono to recent cross-generational partnerships with Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Davido, and Mr Eazi. In 2023, her duet with Davido, Na Money, became a continental hit, followed by Joy in 2024, an anthem championing African resilience and unity.

Off-stage, Kidjo is a dedicated advocate for education and gender equality. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she has championed campaigns promoting access to education and girls’ rights. Through her Batonga Foundation, she provides secondary education and vocational training to adolescent girls in rural Benin and beyond. Her humanitarian efforts have earned accolades from the BBC, TIME Magazine, and Amnesty International.

Reacting to the announcement, chairman of the Walk of Fame selection committee, Peter Roth, said: “These talented individuals have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, and we are thrilled to honour them with this well-deserved recognition.”

Other honorees on the 2026 list include Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Emily Blunt, Rami Malek, Josh Groban, and culinary icon Gordon Ramsay. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was the sole pick in the sports entertainment category.