Legendary Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo has been selected for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first Black African performer to receive the prestigious honour.
Her trailblazing career includes five Grammy wins and 16 albums spanning four decades. She is known for fusing West African rhythms with funk, jazz, and R and B. Over the years, she has collaborated with Burna Boy, Alicia Keys, Sting, and Philip Glass. Beyond music, Kidjo has served as a UNICEF and Oxfam ambassador and founded the Batonga Foundation, which supports girls’ education across Africa.
She is breaking barriers in more ways than one. Kidjo joins Charlize Theron, who received her star in 2005, as only the second African on the Walk of Fame. She is part of the 2026 class alongside Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, and Shaquille O’Neal. She was hailed as Africa’s premier diva at the Walk of Fame press conference.
Her path from Benin to global stardom has been remarkable. Kidjo fled communist Benin in 1983, settling in Paris before launching her solo career. “My nickname was ‘when, why, how?'” she said, reflecting on her relentless curiosity. She has remained an outspoken advocate for freedom and education, explaining, “I want to understand my place in this world.”
Her induction ceremony date will be announced within two years as she continues her global activism and music, bridging cultures and generations.
