Angélique Kidjo has officially made history after becoming the first African musician, and the first Black African performer, to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The five-time Grammy Award winner was honoured during a ceremony in Los Angeles on Tuesday, 18 August, where she unveiled the 2,854th star on the world-famous boulevard.

Kidjo's star was awarded in the Recording category, recognising a career spanning more than four decades and her significant contribution to music and culture on an international scale. The historic ceremony took place at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, across from the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, with the occasion bringing together figures from across the entertainment industry.

The milestone represents a major moment not only for Kidjo herself, but also for African music, with the Beninese-born artist having spent much of her career introducing audiences around the world to the richness and diversity of African sounds.

Speaking during the ceremony, Kidjo placed the significance of the achievement firmly within the wider history and influence of the continent.

“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet,” she said.

Rather than presenting the star solely as a personal achievement, Kidjo used the moment to recognise the wider contribution of African musicians and the influence that music from the continent has had across the world.

Following the presentation, the singer also thanked those who had supported her throughout her career, including her family and team, before breaking into song during the emotional celebration.

A CAREER SPANNING MORE THAN FOUR DECADES

Born in Ouidah, Benin, in 1960, Kidjo began performing from a young age before eventually leaving the country for France during the 1980s.

She went on to establish herself as one of Africa's most influential musical exports, developing a sound that has consistently crossed geographical and cultural boundaries.

Across 18 albums, the singer has combined musical traditions from West Africa with a wide range of international influences, including R&B, funk, jazz, gospel, reggae and Latin music. Her ability to move between genres has become one of the defining features of her career, allowing her to collaborate with major names from different generations and corners of the music industry. Among the artists she has worked with are Alicia Keys, Burna Boy, Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Philip Glass and Yo-Yo Ma, reflecting the international reach of her work and the breadth of her musical influence.

Kidjo's achievements have also extended well beyond her recording career.

She has won five Grammy Awards and has been recognised internationally for her contribution to music and culture. Time named her among its 100 Most Influential People in the world, while the BBC included her among Africa's 50 most iconic figures and The Guardian recognised her among the world's 100 most inspiring women.

Her list of honours also includes the 2023 Polar Music Prize, Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award and the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame recognition therefore arrives after decades of achievements that have established Kidjo as a prominent figure in global music, rather than marking a sudden breakthrough.

TRIBUTES FROM HOLLYWOOD

The significance of Kidjo's achievement was also reflected in the guests who joined her for the ceremony.

Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy chief executive Harvey Mason Jr. were among those who paid tribute to the singer during the event.

Mason Jr. described Kidjo as a “rare artist”, highlighting the way her work has connected people across cultures and communities.

“Your example has elevated our global music community, and your work continues to remind us that music is more than entertainment; it’s connection,” he said.

Dafoe also spoke about his admiration for Kidjo, recalling the impact of seeing her perform live and praising both her energy as a performer and the wider work she has carried out away from the stage.

“The first time I saw Angelique perform live, I thought her music, her dancing, her commitment were incredible,” the actor said.

“She is, without a doubt, the hardest-working woman in show business.”

Dafoe went on to highlight Kidjo's humanitarian work, particularly through the Batonga Foundation, which she founded to support girls and young women in Africa.

He described the organisation's work as an extension of the values that have also shaped Kidjo's music and career, pointing to the way she has used her international platform to advocate for others.

Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez also praised the musician's influence, saying:

“Angélique Kidjo’s extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents. We are proud to honour her as the first African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognising her remarkable contributions to music and culture around the world.”

A MILESTONE FOR AFRICAN MUSIC

Kidjo's historic achievement comes at a time when African music continues to reach increasingly large international audiences, with artists from across the continent becoming major forces within the global music industry.

For Kidjo, however, the moment has particular significance because of the decades she has spent helping create space for African artists on the international stage.

Her career has repeatedly centred African musical traditions while bringing them into conversation with sounds from elsewhere, creating a body of work that has crossed borders and generations. The recognition also marks a significant first within the history of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. While African-born figures have previously received stars, Kidjo is the first African musician and the first Black African performer to receive the honour.

The singer had previously reflected on the significance of becoming the first African woman to receive the distinction when the honour was announced.

“I may be the first African female singer to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I am convinced that I will not be the last,” Kidjo said at the time.

“Many others will follow, and that fills my heart with joy."

That sentiment was reflected in the wider message surrounding Tuesday's ceremony, with the star representing both recognition of an extraordinary individual career and a symbolic opening for other African musicians who may follow.

MUSIC, HOPE AND HER MOTHER'S LEGACY

The Hollywood honour also arrives during another important chapter in Kidjo's career, following the release of her 18th album, HOPE!!.

The project was dedicated to her late mother and was created during a period shaped by grief, renewal and a desire to bring a sense of optimism to listeners.

Kidjo has previously explained that her mother played an important role in shaping her understanding of hope, telling her that it was fundamental to existence.

“I started singing when I was six years old, and I’m grateful every day that I still get to live my passion and do what I love with my life,” Kidjo said in relation to the project.

“With this album I wanted to put some fire back in people’s hearts and show how much we need that joy and hope to keep our humanity going.”

The album features collaborations with a number of major contemporary artists, including Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Ayra Starr, Davido, Nile Rodgers, Charlie Wilson, IZA and PJ Morton. The project further demonstrates the way Kidjo has continued to connect her longstanding musical influences with newer generations of artists, maintaining her position within an evolving global music landscape.

MORE THAN A STAR

Alongside her musical achievements, Kidjo has spent years using her platform for humanitarian work.

She has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and established the Batonga Foundation, which focuses on supporting the education and economic empowerment of girls and young women in Africa.

That work was specifically acknowledged during her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, with Dafoe highlighting the organisation as an important part of Kidjo's wider legacy. Her career has therefore developed beyond simply creating music, with advocacy, education and cultural representation becoming central elements of her public work.

As her name was permanently added to Hollywood Boulevard, the occasion became a reflection of all those different aspects of her career.

From her beginnings in Benin to an international career spanning more than 40 years, 18 albums, five Grammy Awards and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, Kidjo's latest achievement places her among the historic figures represented on one of the world's most recognisable landmarks.

For the musician herself, however, the significance appears to extend beyond the physical star beneath her name.

The recognition represents a moment for African music to be celebrated on a global platform, while also signalling what Kidjo hopes will be the beginning of a new chapter in which many more African artists are able to receive the same level of international recognition.