Angélique Kidjo, the Beninese-French singer whose career spans four decades and 18 albums, has made history as the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony took place on Tuesday in Los Angeles, marking a milestone not just for her but for African music on the global stage.
Kidjo, 66, has long been a force in world music, blending West African traditions with funk, jazz, and soul. Her five Grammy Awards and her activism have made her a familiar figure from Cotonou to Paris to New York. At the unveiling, she told the crowd: "We Africans don't know what we've given to the world. Without us, there's no music possible on this planet."
A celebration of a rare artist
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, praised Kidjo as a "rare artist" whose influence extends beyond entertainment. "Your example has elevated our global music community, and your work continues to remind us that music is more than entertainment," he said. "It's connection."
Mason Jr. added that the star is "a permanent symbol" of her achievements, but her true legacy lies in "the people that you've touched, that you've inspired, the barriers that you've broken, the connections you've created all around the world."
Benin's President Romuald Wadagni also acknowledged the honor, writing on Facebook: "By becoming the first African artist to receive this global honour, the Beninese icon has etched her name into history and raised the rhythms, creativity and dignity of our entire nation to the highest level."
Actor Willem Dafoe, a friend and admirer, spoke at the ceremony, recalling the first time he saw Kidjo perform live. "Her music, her dancing, her commitment were incredible," he said. "She is, without a doubt, the hardest-working woman in show business."
Dafoe also highlighted Kidjo's humanitarian work, particularly her Batonga Foundation, which supports education for young women in Africa. Kidjo coined the word "Batonga" as a child in response to those who said girls didn't belong in school. Dafoe stressed that her activism is not a publicity stunt: "This is not a token celebrity involvement. It is an extension of what she does with her music. She stirs us, lifts us up, and reminds us that we're all connected, and that love and understanding is the way."
Kidjo has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002 and regularly speaks at international forums like Davos. She has performed at the UN General Assembly and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony, and in 2019 she was named spokesperson for the AFAWA initiative at the G7 Summit.
Her influence has been recognized widely: Time magazine listed her among the 100 most influential people in 2021, the BBC named her one of Africa's 50 most iconic figures, and The Guardian included her in its list of the world's 100 most inspiring people.
For Europe, Kidjo's achievement resonates beyond the Walk of Fame. She has long been a bridge between African and European cultures, and her music has found a devoted audience across the continent. Her star in Hollywood is a reminder of the rich cultural exchange that continues to shape both sides of the Mediterranean.
