French-Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first Black African performer to receive the honour.

Kidjo was honoured on Tuesday, August 18, at a ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. She received the 2,854th star in the Recording category.

The ceremony featured actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy chief executive Harvey Mason Jr., who spoke about Kidjo’s career and contribution to music.

During her speech, Kidjo spoke about the influence of African music worldwide. She said:

“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet.”

Angélique Kidjo began her professional career in Benin before moving to Paris in 1983. She later built an international career through a mix of West African music and genres including jazz, funk, R&B, gospel, and pop.

She has released 18 albums and won five Grammy Awards. Her Grammy-winning albums include Djin Djin, Eve, Sings, Celia, and Mother Nature.

She released her 18th album, HOPE!!, in April 2026. The album features collaborations with Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers, Quavo, Ayra Starr, Davido, Charlie Wilson, The Cavemen, Fally Ipupa, and Diamond Platnumz.

Beyond music, she has worked with organisations including UNICEF and Oxfam. She also co-founded the Batonga Foundation in 2006 to support education and economic opportunities for girls in Africa.