Angélique Kidjo becomes the first African singer to receive a star on the Walk of Fame

Already the holder of five Grammys, Angélique Kidjo now has her name engraved in Hollywood. The Franco-Beninese artist on Tuesday became the first African singer to have her star encrusted on the prestigious “Walk of Fame” in Los Angeles.

During a sumptuous ceremony under the palm trees, Angélique Kidjo was celebrated by film stars and music industry heavyweights, as she unveiled her star on this busy thoroughfare.

The Beninese president welcomes this recognition

“We Africans don’t know what we brought to the world,” said the 66-year-old artist. “Without us, no music would be possible on this planet,” she added before starting to sing, under the captivated gaze of those present.

Angélique Kidjo has forged an international career that spans more than 40 years and 18 albums. “By becoming the first African artist to receive this global recognition, the Beninese icon engraves her name in history and brings to the top the rhythms, creativity and dignity of our entire Nation,” greeted the President of Benin Romuald Wadagni on Facebook.

The humanitarian commitment of Angélique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo was surrounded for this inauguration by American actor Willem Dafoe and producer Harvey Mason Jr, head of the Grammy Awards. The latter praised a “rare artist”. “Your example has grown our global music community, and your work continues to remind us that music is more than entertainment: it is a connection,” he said.

Willem Dafoe praised Angélique Kidjo’s “incredible” energy on stage. He also paid tribute to his humanitarian commitment through his Batonga foundation, which works to emancipate girls and young women in Africa. “This is not a cosmetic commitment from a celebrity; it’s an extension of what she does with her music. It moves us, uplifts us, and reminds us that we are all connected, and that love and understanding are the way forward.”

The awarding of her star, announced in the summer of 2025, brought “joy” to the singer. “I am certainly the first African singer to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I am convinced that I will not be the last,” she declared. “Many more will follow and that fills my heart with joy. »

Spotted in the early 1980s by Chris Blackwell, producer of Bob Marley, Angélique Kidjo has always mixed influences, revisiting Ravel's Boléro or the pop of Talking Heads. She has most recently collaborated with Nigerian Afrobeat heavyweights Davido and Burna Boy. She is also a regular at international summits, such as the Davos Forum, where she notably relays the work of her association.