Angélique Kidjo, the legendary singer from Benin, has shattered barriers by becoming the first black African artist selected for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The announcement, made Wednesday as part of the 2026 induction class, crowns the 64-year-old’s four-decade career that has produced 16 albums and earned her five Grammy Awards.
A Trailblazer for African Music
The West African icon, often called the continent’s “premier diva”, joins an elite group including Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and Shaquille O’Neal. Kidjo’s star will stand as the first for a black African musician, following South African actress Charlize Theron’s 2005 recognition. While her ceremony date remains unset, the honor celebrates her unique fusion of Afropop, jazz, funk, and R&B that has captivated global audiences.
Kiddo’s Journey From Benin to Global Stardom
Kidjo’s journey began under Benin’s communist regime, which she fled in 1983 for Paris, where she worked as a backup singer before launching her solo career with 1990’s Parakou. Her collaborations read like a music hall of fame: Burna Boy, Alicia Keys, Sting, and Philip Glass among them. Beyond music, she champions education as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and through her Batonga Foundation, empowering African girls’ schooling.
The artist, whose childhood nickname “When, Why, How?” reflected her relentless curiosity, told the BBC: “I want to understand my place in this world.” This drive propelled her from political exile to becoming one of TIME’s 100 most influential people and now, a Walk of Fame immortal, proving that African artists’ also deserve a place on music’s highest platforms.
