Angélique Kidjo Makes Hollywood Walk of Fame History as First African Musician, With Willem Dafoe and Harvey Mason Jr. at the 2,854th Star Ceremony
HOLLYWOOD, CA — Angélique Kidjo has become the first African musician and the first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, taking home the walkway’s 2,854th star at a ceremony in Hollywood.
Hollywood also declared Aug. 18 “Angélique Kidjo Day” in recognition of the milestone. Kidjo’s star is in the Recording category and sits at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, across from the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. joined the celebration
The ceremony featured actor Willem Dafoe and Harvey Mason Jr., who leads the Recording Academy and MusiCares. Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson served as emcee for the event.
Kidjo said the honor would have seemed impossible when she was growing up in Benin. She said she hoped the star would encourage young people to dream big and stay true to themselves.
A milestone that reflects African music’s growing global reach
The recognition arrives as African music continues to expand its audience worldwide, and Kidjo has spent four decades helping open doors for artists from the continent. Her star is being framed not just as a personal achievement, but as a marker of that wider cultural shift.
Kidjo’s career includes five Grammy wins, 16 nominations, TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list, and honors such as the Polar Music Prize and the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award.
New album HOPE!! and a busy run of appearances keep Kidjo moving
The Walk of Fame tribute comes during a busy creative stretch for Kidjo, who recently released HOPE!!, her 18th album. The record is dedicated to her late mother, Yvonne, and includes collaborations with Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Ayra Starr, Davido, Nile Rodgers, Charlie Wilson, IZA and PJ Morton.
Kidjo performed and took part in a Q&A at the GRAMMY Museum on Aug. 17 and is set to headline SummerStage in Central Park on Sunday, Aug. 23. She also continues her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and founder of the Batonga Foundation.
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