Beninese-born singer and global music icon Angélique Kidjo is set to become the first black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Africa gets its first icon on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Her name was officially announced as part of the Walk of Fame’s class of 2026.
According to BBC Africa, the five-time Grammy winner is among 35 names selected for the honour.
The announcement was made at a press conference on Wednesday, where Kidjo was described as Africa’s “premier diva.”
Other celebrities who will be joining her in 2026 include singer Miley Cyrus, actor Timothée Chalamet, and former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.
What we know about Angélique Kidjo
Angélique Kidjo was born in Benin, a country in West Africa. She is known not just for her unique voice and vibrant performances, but also for singing in multiple languages including English, French, Yoruba, Fon, and Gen.
Her music blends different cultures, and she often draws on traditional African styles combined with global influences like jazz, Latin music, funk, and soul.
Kidjo began gaining international recognition in 1989 with her album Parakou. She followed it with the groundbreaking Logozo in 1991, which topped the Billboard World Albums chart.
Her music videos for “We We” and “Batonga” gained widespread attention and marked the start of her global career.
In 1994, her album Ayé introduced a more environmental theme with the single “Agolo”, which earned her first Grammy nomination.
Her influence only grew with albums like Fifa, featuring Carlos Santana, and Djin Djin, which included collaborations with artists like Alicia Keys and Peter Gabriel. Djin Djin won a Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
Beyond music, Kidjo is also known for her activism.
She was featured in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2021 and performed at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony the same year.
Her later projects include orchestral albums and tributes to African women. Her 2014 album Eve, celebrating African women, topped the Billboard World Music chart and won another Grammy.
She has also recorded with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, combining African rhythms with classical music.
Her star on the Walk of Fame is expected to be unveiled in 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
