Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo has made history after being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The five-time Grammy Award winner became the first African musician and the first Black African performer to receive the prestigious honor. The ceremony took place on Monday, August 18, 2026, on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Kidjo, 66, was awarded the 2,854th star in the Recording category. The recognition celebrates her remarkable contributions to music and culture over more than four decades.
Born in Ouidah, Benin, Angélique Kidjo has built an outstanding international career spanning over 40 years, with 18 studio albums to her credit. She is widely known for blending traditional Beninese sounds with global genres such as funk, jazz, and pop.
Her unique sound has played a major role in introducing African music to a wider global audience and inspiring a new generation of artists across the continent.
Over the course of her career, Kidjo has won five Grammy Awards. Some of her award-winning albums include Djin Djin, Eve, Sings, Celia, and Mother Nature.
Beyond music, she has also been recognized for her humanitarian efforts and cultural advocacy. She was once listed among TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for her impact beyond entertainment.
Kidjo has collaborated with several international artists throughout her career, helping to strengthen the connection between African music and the global music industry.
DailyVista247 gathered that the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.
Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou and Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold were also present to celebrate the historic milestone with her.
Speaking at the event, Dafoe commended Kidjo for her dedication, compassion, and activism. Mason described her as an exceptional artist whose influence goes far beyond music.
In her remarks, Kidjo dedicated the honor to Africa and to young African girls, noting that the recognition shows that dreams are valid regardless of where one comes from.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced Kidjo among 35 honorees for the Class of 2026, which also includes global figures such as Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, and Shaquille O'Neal.
This latest honor further cements Angélique Kidjo's legacy as one of Africa's most celebrated and influential musical figures, with a career defined by artistic excellence and advocacy.
