A decades-long career that redefined global music and bridged cross-cultural divides reached an unprecedented landmark this week, as Beninese superstar Angélique Kidjo made history by becoming the first African musician to receive a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The 66-year-old five-time Grammy winner, celebrated globally for her powerhouse vocals and genre-blending sound that fuses traditional West African rhythms with funk, jazz, R&B, and pop, used the induction ceremony to highlight the foundational role African art has played in global music creation. Speaking to gathered guests at the Tuesday unveiling, Kidjo said: “We Africans just don’t know what we’ve given to the world, and what we continue giving to the world for the music to exist. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet.”
Kidjo’s vision of global unity took center stage during her remarks, framing the honor as a validation of her long-held belief in shared humanity. “The star for me means that my vision of the world as a small village is a reality,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where we come from, what language we speak, which skin colour we have. We are human. It’s one human family.”
The ceremony drew a roster of A-list guests, including fellow Beninese-born Hollywood actor Djimon Hounsou, Academy Award-nominated actor Willem Dafoe, and Nigerian Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold, alongside Kidjo’s family and close friends. Attendees celebrated the artist’s 40-plus year career with joyous singing and dancing, honoring a discography that includes high-profile collaborations with music legends ranging from Burna Boy, John Legend and Bono to Alicia Keys.
Born and raised in southern Benin, Kidjo fled her home country for Paris in 1983 to escape oppressive rule under the then-communist government. In a 2023 interview with the BBC, she reflected on that experience, saying, “From the moment the communist regime arrived in Benin, I became aware that the freedom we enjoy can be snatched away in a second.” After building her career in Europe, she eventually relocated to the United States, where her work continued to gain international acclaim.
Today, Kidjo’s discography spans 18 full-length albums, with 17 Grammy nominations and five wins to her name. She released her latest studio project, *HOPE!!*, earlier this year, featuring production from Pharrell Williams and collaborations with Ayra Starr, Quavo, Nile Rodgers, and Diane Warren. Beyond her Grammy success, she received the 2023 Polar Music Prize and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2021.
Dafoe, who spoke at the induction ceremony, lauded Kidjo’s unmatched work ethic and artistic commitment, comparing her energy to James Brown, widely known as the hardest working man in show business. “She is without a doubt the hardest working woman in showbusiness,” Dafoe said. “The first time I saw Angélique perform live, I thought her music, her dancing, her commitment were incredible. She’s not only an incredible performer, songwriter and musician, but also an incredibly kind and giving person and a real deal activist.”
Beyond her artistic work, Kidjo has long been a dedicated advocate for marginalized communities. She serves as a goodwill ambassador for both Unicef and Oxfam, and co-founded the Batonga Foundation, which works to expand educational and economic opportunity for vulnerable young girls and women across Benin.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy — the organization behind the Grammy Awards — also praised Kidjo’s cross-cultural impact during the ceremony. “She’s connected cultures, she’s crossed borders, she’s reminded audiences everywhere that while we may come from different backgrounds, her music unites in a way that few other things can,” Mason said.
Kidjo now joins more than 2,800 entertainment icons with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and is only the second person of African origin to receive the honor, following white South African actress Charlize Theron. Fans of African music can find more reporting on the continent’s vibrant creative scene at BBCAfrica.com, and follow BBC Africa on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates.