{"id":19095,"date":"2026-08-18T19:07:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T19:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interspacemusic.com\/blog\/angelique-kidjo-first-african-musician-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T19:07:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T19:07:40","slug":"angelique-kidjo-first-african-musician-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interspacemusic.com\/blog\/angelique-kidjo-first-african-musician-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo First African Musician on Hollywood Walk of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo<\/strong><\/a>, the multiple Grammy-winning Beninese musician, received the 2,854th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame<\/strong><\/a> on August 18, becoming the first African musician and first Black African to be honored in the Recording category.<\/p>\n

The ceremony was hosted by Angelique Jackson and attended by Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe<\/strong> and Recording Academy<\/strong><\/a> CEO Harvey Mason Jr.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ceremony remarks<\/h2>\n

Dafoe said of Kidjo: “She’s without a doubt the hardest working woman in showbusiness\u2026 [she’s also] an incredibly kind and giving person and a real activist.”<\/p>\n

Mason Jr. added: “I spent much of my career among artists, and every once in a while, you experience someone whose impact extends beyond the stage\u2026 someone who isn’t just an artist, but there’s purpose behind the art. Ang\u00e9lique is absolutely one of those rare artists.”<\/p>\n

In her speech, Kidjo framed the honor as a recognition of Africa’s cultural contribution: “We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world, what we continue giving to the world; without us there’s no music possible in this planet.”<\/p>\n

She has also described the star in collective terms, saying, “It’s not just my star, it’s our star.”<\/p>\n

Official declaration and attendees<\/h2>\n

Just before the unveiling, Ron Frierson<\/strong>, President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>, declared August 18 as Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo Day in Hollywood.<\/p>\n

Benin-born actor Djimon Hounsou<\/strong> and Nigerian musician Adekunle Gold<\/strong> attended the ceremony alongside friends and family of Kidjo.<\/p>\n

Four decades of music and influence<\/h2>\n

For more than four decades, Kidjo has contributed to the catalogue of African music<\/a>, bridging sounds from her native Benin with funk, jazz<\/a>, and pop, and earning five Grammy awards along the way.<\/p>\n

Ana Martinez<\/strong>, Walk of Fame producer, said in a statement: “Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo’s extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents. We are proud to honor her remarkable contributions to music and culture around the world.”<\/p>\n

Kidjo has said of her legacy for younger African women: “What I love about it is that they are themselves. I don’t want anybody to copy me, I want the young women of Africa to be and love themselves and to fight for what they want.”<\/p>\n

Kidjo joins a list of Black artists with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, including:<\/p>\n