Beninese musical legend and five-time Grammy recipient Angélique Kidjo is scheduled to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 18, 2026. This will mark her as the initial African performer to gain the distinguished recognition within the Recording division, securing the 2,854th star along the renowned Hollywood Boulevard.
According to Hall Walk of Fame, five-time GRAMMY-winning musician Angélique Kidjo will be honoured around 11:30 am PT at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, across the street from the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Kidjo will receive her star in the category of Recording.
Reshaping Music Around The World
The historic honour arrives at a defining moment for African music, as artists from across the continent reach new audiences and reshape popular music around the world. Kidjo’s recognition carries particular weight: over the course of her four-decade career, she has helped open pathways for African artists on the global stage. She has made this star both a celebration of her singular legacy and a reflection of the movement she helped to advance.
For the ceremony, Kidjo will be joined by the internationally acclaimed actor and four-time Academy Award nominee – Willem Dafoe and CEO of the Recording Academy® and MusiCares and a multi-GRAMMY and Emmy-nominated songwriter and producer – Harvey Mason Jr. The ceremony will be emceed by Variety Correspondent – Angelique Jackson.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted the globally iconic star ceremonies for decades. Millions of people from here and around the world have visited this cultural landmark since 1960.
Beninese musical legend and five-time Grammy recipient Angélique Kidjo is scheduled to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 18 August 2026.
This will mark her as the initial African performer to gain the distinguished recognition within the Recording division,… pic.twitter.com/tcoZJtlr4Y
— African Hub (@AfricanHub_) August 9, 2026
First African Artist To Receive A Star
Walk of Fame producer – Ana Martinez stated that the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Angélique Kidjo to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She said that Angélique Kidjo’s extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents.
They 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.
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a celebration of art, entertainment and all things Hollywood. Star ceremonies are broadcast worldwide that connects fans with their favourite artists.
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the Walk of Fame on behalf of the City of Los Angeles. Honourees are selected by a committee of their peers. Sponsors fund the star, the ceremony and the maintenance of the legendary attraction. The Walk of Fame is free to all.
International Accolades
Angélique Kidjo is one of the most influential and acclaimed artists in international music. She is a creative force whose four-decade career has bridged cultures, generations and genres. With eighteen albums to her name, Kidjo was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the world.
BBC included her among the African continent’s 50 most iconic figures, while The Guardian recognised her as one of the 100 most inspiring women in the world. Forbes has also recognized Kidjo as the most influential woman in Africa.
Her many international honours include the 2015 Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland; the 2016 Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award; the 2018 German Sustainability Award; the 2023 Vilcek Prize in Music; and the 2023 Polar Music Prize.
As a performer, Kidjo’s commanding voice, electrifying stage presence, and fluency across cultures and languages have earned the respect of her peers and built a global following. Throughout her career, she has brought the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin into conversation with American R&B, funk, jazz, and gospel, as well as music from Europe, Latin America, and across the African diaspora.
Exploring Music of Africa
After exploring the musical roads of Africa’s diaspora, reimagining Talking Heads’ landmark album Remain in Light, paying tribute to iconic salsa singer Celia Cruz, and collaborating with generations of artists, Kidjo continues her expansive creative journey on her latest album, HOPE!! The 18th album in her widely acclaimed discography features Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Ayra Starr, Davido, Nile Rodgers, Charlie Wilson, IZA, PJ Morton, and more. A music video for album standout “Bando,” featuring Pharrell Williams and Quavo, is also forthcoming. The project affirms Kidjo as a truly essential artist, one whose unbridled joy serves as a unifying force.
Kidjo, who hails from the West African nation of Benin, said that she started singing when she was six years old, and she’s grateful every day that she still get to live her passion and do what she loves with her life. She added, “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.”
HOPE! Is Dedicated to Kidjo’s Mother
Dedicated to Kidjo’s late mother, HOPE!! emerged from a period shaped by grief and renewal. “My mother used to tell me that hope is the bedrock of our existence,” said Kidjo. As the latest offering in a catalogue that’s continuously shown the transformative power of music, HOPE!! solidifies Kidjo’s legacy as a visionary artist whose sense of purpose has only grown stronger over time.
Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF
Kidjo also travels the world advocating on behalf of children as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. At the 2019 G7 Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron named her a spokesperson for the AFAWA initiative, or Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa, which works to help close the financing gap for women entrepreneurs across the continent.
Kidjo also founded the Batonga Foundation, which has built a powerful, locally led movement that advances the education, leadership and economic empowerment of girls and young women across Benin and Senegal, by transforming lives, strengthening communities and redefining what is possible for the next generation.