The five-time Grammy-winning Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo officially received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, August 18, 2026, becoming the first-ever Black African performer to earn this prestigious accolade.
The monument stands as the 2,854th star on the landmark, permanently placed at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard—directly across from the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
The ceremony kicked off at 11:30 AM PT. But Kidjo wasn’t content with just a speech. The 66-year-old music icon erupted into an impromptu song under the Los Angeles skies, dedicating the moment to an entire continent. “This is not just a star for Angélique Kidjo. This is a star for Africa,” she declared.
She wasn’t alone on the podium. Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. stood by her side, praising her global musical influence.
Kidjo was selected alongside 35 global honorees for the Class of 2026, which includes Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, and Shaquille O’Neal. But on this day, the spotlight belonged to the woman from Benin who has spent decades elevating African music to the world stage.
From Agolo to Djin Djin to this Hollywood sidewalk—Kidjo’s legacy just got a permanent address. Africa now has a star on the Walk of Fame. And it’s shining bright.
