Angélique Kidjo becomes first African artist to receive a star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame- FULL DETAILS

 Angélique Kidjo, the five-time Grammy winner and legendary figure in Beninese music, has made history by being the first African musician to be chosen for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Class of 2026 awardees were revealed on Wednesday at a conference held in Los Angeles by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Kidjo was honored alongside 34 other international entertainment icons, such as Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Shaquille O'Neal, Deepika Padukone, and Lea Salonga. Kidjo's remarkable four-decade music career includes Afrobeat, jazz, funk, and traditional West African sounds.

After considering hundreds of nominations from around the world, the Hollywood Walk of Fame board of directors approved her selection on June 25.

 

Within two years, recipients should plan their star ceremony.

Kidjo, who was born in 1960 in Cotonou, Benin, ascended from the streets of West Africa to become one of the most influential musical exporters from the continent.

It is believed that her key albums, such as Logozo (1991), Black Ivory Soul (2002), Eve (2014), Celia (2019), and the Grammy-winning Mother Nature (2021), have changed how people listen to African music globally in addition to bridging linguistic and cultural divides.

Kidjo has collaborated on songs with artists from all over the world, including Bono, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, and more recently, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Davido, and Mr. Eazi.

Her duet with Davido, Na Money, became a continental smash in 2023. Joy, a 2024 song that promotes African solidarity and resiliency, followed.

Outside of the spotlight, Kidjo has devoted her life to education and campaigning, particularly for young African females.

She has played a significant role in campaigns advocating for girls' rights, education access, and gender equality as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
She is also the creator of the Batonga Foundation, which offers teenage girls in rural Benin and elsewhere vocational training and secondary education.

She has received recognition for her humanitarian work from organizations such as Amnesty International, TIME Magazine, and the BBC.
Peter Roth, the chairman of the Walk of Fame selection committee, responded to the news by saying: "We are delighted to honor these talented individuals with this well-deserved recognition, as they have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry."