Five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo is set to make history on August 18, 2026, as the first African musician and first Black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Benin-born singer will be honoured in the Recording category during a ceremony at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. She will receive the 2,854th star on the famous boulevard, according to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The recognition marks a major moment for African music on one of the world’s most prominent entertainment landmarks. Kidjo’s career has stretched across more than four decades, establishing her as one of Africa’s most internationally recognised performers.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce selected Kidjo as part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026, alongside prominent names from music, film, television and entertainment.
The official 2026 Recording category also includes artists such as Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Air Supply, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Lyle Lovett.
For Kidjo, however, the honour carries an additional historical significance. She is the first musician from Africa and the first Black African performer to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said Kidjo’s artistic work and international influence had inspired audiences across generations and continents.
Born in Benin, Kidjo developed a career that crossed African musical traditions with international genres and collaborations.
Her work has earned her five Grammy Awards and recognition far beyond the African continent. She has also used her international platform to promote African culture and advocate for social causes.
The singer’s selection for the Hollywood Walk of Fame was first announced in July 2025, when she was named among the 35 honourees for the 2026 class.
Her career has included collaborations with major international musicians and appearances on some of the world’s biggest cultural stages.
Kidjo will be joined at the Hollywood ceremony by Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe and record producer Harvey Mason Jr.
The ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, across from the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Key details include:
- Honouree: Angélique Kidjo
- Recognition: Hollywood Walk of Fame star
- Category: Recording
- Star number: 2,854
- Date: August 18, 2026
- Location: 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles
- Historic distinction: First African musician and first Black African performer to receive a star
Kidjo has previously framed the honour as something bigger than her own career.
When the Hollywood recognition was announced, she said she believed she would not be the last African female singer to receive a star and expressed hope that other African artists would follow.
That perspective gives the milestone significance beyond an individual award. The Hollywood Walk of Fame has traditionally been associated with major figures in global entertainment, making Kidjo’s inclusion a notable acknowledgement of African music’s growing influence internationally.
Kidjo’s Hollywood Walk of Fame honour adds another major international distinction to a career that has already earned multiple Grammy Awards and widespread recognition.
Her selection also comes as African music continues to expand its global footprint, with artists from the continent increasingly collaborating with international performers and reaching audiences outside traditional African music markets.
For Kidjo, the Hollywood star represents the recognition of a career built over decades. For African music, it provides a highly visible symbol of the continent’s contribution to the global entertainment industry.
As the ceremony takes place in Los Angeles, Kidjo’s name will become permanently associated with one of Hollywood’s most recognisable landmarks — a distinction that she has said she hopes will pave the way for many more African artists.
