Five-time Grammy-winning musician Angélique Kidjo is set to become the first African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with the official ceremony scheduled for 18 August 2026 in Los Angeles.
Kidjo will receive the 2,854th star in the Recording category at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, marking a major milestone for one of Africa’s most influential international artists.
The ceremony will be hosted by Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson, with actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. among the guest speakers. The event will also be streamed globally through the official Hollywood Walk of Fame platform.
Angélique Kidjo makes Hollywood Walk Of Fame history
Born in Benin, Kidjo has built a career spanning more than four decades, bringing together West African musical traditions with elements of R&B, funk, jazz and gospel.
She has released 17 studio albums before HOPE!!, and her career has earned recognition far beyond music. Kidjo has been named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and has received honours including the Polar Music Prize, the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum and the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award.
Her Hollywood Walk of Fame star adds another major distinction to that list.
Kidjo’s music career spans four decades
Kidjo has consistently moved between African musical traditions and international genres throughout her career, collaborating with artists from across the global music industry.
Her work has helped introduce West African musical influences to wider audiences while establishing her as a major figure in contemporary world music.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame honour comes at a time when African artists are reaching increasingly large international audiences, with Afrobeats, African pop and other sounds from the continent becoming increasingly prominent in global music.
New album Hope!! arrives alongside the honour
The Walk of Fame ceremony coincides with the release of Kidjo’s 18th studio album, HOPE!!.
The album is dedicated to her late mother and explores themes of renewal, optimism and hope.
Kidjo has assembled an extensive list of collaborators for the project, including Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Ayra Starr, Davido, Nile Rodgers, Charlie Wilson, IZA and PJ Morton.
The album gives Kidjo another opportunity to connect African musical traditions with contemporary global sounds while continuing a career built around collaboration.
Kidjo’s work extends beyond music
Kidjo’s influence also extends into humanitarian and educational work.
She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and founded the Batonga Foundation, which works to improve education and economic opportunities for young women in Benin and Senegal.
Her philanthropic work has become an important part of her public career, alongside her advocacy for education, women’s empowerment and children’s rights.
Hollywood Walk Of Fame celebrates Kidjo’s global influence
Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, praised Kidjo’s artistic achievements and international influence ahead of the ceremony.
The honour will formally recognise her contribution to recording while placing her name among thousands of performers and music figures commemorated on Hollywood Boulevard.
For Kidjo, the ceremony will represent a significant moment in a career that has connected West African music with audiences around the world.
