Angelique Kidjo becomes first Black African honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo became the first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, honored at a ceremony attended by film and music industry figures.
Benin-born singer Angelique Kidjo received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, becoming the first Black African to be granted the honor. The ceremony took place in a festive atmosphere beneath palm trees under clear California skies, drawing film stars and leading figures from the music industry.
The 66-year-old artist remarked that Africans often do not fully recognize their own contribution to global culture. After thanking her team and family, she broke into song before an audience that listened in rapt silence.
A career spanning more than four decades
Kidjo's international career began more than 40 years ago and has produced 18 albums. She has been named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people, listed by the BBC among Africa's 50 most iconic figures, and included by The Guardian among the 100 most inspiring people in the world.
Praise from peers
Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason Jr. called Kidjo a rare artist, saying her example has elevated the global music community and shown that music is more than entertainment — it is connection. He added that while the star is a permanent symbol, Kidjo's true legacy lives in the people she has inspired and the barriers she has broken.
Actor Willem Dafoe, who attended the ceremony, praised Kidjo's stage energy, calling her one of the hardest-working women in show business. He particularly highlighted her humanitarian work, noting that her Batonga Foundation strives to empower girls and young women across Africa. According to Dafoe, this involvement is not a token gesture but a natural extension of her music and message.
