Yes, you heard it right, Beninese singer from Benin West Africa – Angelique Kidjo becomes the first ever from Africa to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is indeed the first Black African artist to receive this honor.
This is a historic recognition which was announced as part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026, and Kidjo’s star will be placed in the Recording category. The achievement marks a significant milestone for African Music and Representation on a global scale.
Kidjo’s career spans over four decades, which includes five Grammy Awards and collaborations with prominent international artists. She is also recognized for her humanitarian work as a UNICEF and Oxfam goodwill ambassador, and for founding the Batonga Foundation, that supports girls’ education in Africa.
The African music sensation joins a remarkable line-up for the Class of 2026, including Miley Cyrus, Timothee Chalamet, Deepika Padukone (who becomes the first Indian actress to earn the award), Shaquille O’Neal and more.
Hollywood Walk of Fame board accepted her selection on June 25, 2025 after reviewing hundreds of international nominations, seen on Forbes Africa particularly. While the specific unveiling date has not been decided yet, the awardees have up to two years to prepare for their official ceremonies.
What is the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a famous landmark with over 2,700 stars that honors notable figures from a variety of entertainment industries. It is situated on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
But do celebrities have to buy it?
Some people speculated that celebrities could buy their way onto the Walk of Fame, but the truth is far from it! Inductees are selected by a dedicated selection panel each year with no role played by money or influence in the decision-making process.
However, after being chosen, inductees must pay a sponsorship fee to cover the expenses of installing and maintaining the star, not for the honor itself. The current cost is $85,000 which covers both the upkeep of the renowned boulevard and the creation and installation of the star.
There’s one more way to it! Anyone with the celeb’s consent, can submit nomination by filling in a $275 application fee and if they get selected, they will have to pay hefty installation and maintenance fees.
Who is Angelique Kidjo!
Kidjo was born in 1960, in what was then known as Dahomey (now known as Benin), and grew up immersed in music, drama, and dance. She released her first album, Pretty, in 1981 before going to Paris in the wake of a political crisis. There, she perfected her craft by combining West African rhythms with jazz, funk, R&B, Latin, and gospel elements.
Kidjo’s Achievements
The celebrity has won five Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary World Music Album for Djin Djin (2008), Eve (2015), Sings (2016), Celia (2020), and Mother Nature (2022).
Angélique Kidjo was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2021 and was recognized with the prestigious Polar Music Prize in 2023, which cemented her place as a global cultural icon.
Despite beginning her musical career in the 80s, Angélique Kidjo made collaborations with other artists that have spanned 5 decades and different continents. This includes everything from working with Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, and Bono, to more recent cross-generational collaborations with Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Davido, and Mr. Eazi.
The famous and highly accomplished artist from Benin holds multiple honorary awards from numerous academies, including Yale (2015), Berklee (2010), Middlebury (2014), and UCLouvain (2020), recognizing her artistic brilliance and advocacy.
Since 2002, Kidjo has been appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Using her platform to advocate for children’s rights, girls’ education, immunizations, and maternal health, has traveled globally to support UNICEF projects.
And now, the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star is constructing her lifelong journey of achievements with it.