Legendary Beninese-born artist and global music powerhouse Angélique Kidjo has etched her name into history once again—this time on the streets of Hollywood.
The five-time Grammy Award-winning singer has been named one of the 2026 inductees for the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making her the first Black African performer and only the second African-born individual ever (after Charlize Theron) to receive the honor.
The announcement celebrates Kidjo’s extraordinary four-decade career, marked by 16 albums, boundary-breaking collaborations, and a deep commitment to cultural activism and Pan-Africanism. Her distinctive fusion of West African traditional music with funk, jazz, Latin, and R&B sounds has long captivated audiences around the world.
“This is for the girls with big dreams and bold voices. For Africa. For legacy. For the culture,” read a celebratory post following the announcement.
Kidjo joins a prestigious list of 2026 honorees that includes Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, and Timothée Chalamet, but her inclusion carries generational and cultural weight far beyond celebrity.
Over the years, the singer has championed causes ranging from education for girls in Africa to global environmental sustainability, earning not only musical accolades but widespread recognition for her activism. She serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has been recognized by TIME, The Guardian, and the BBC for her global influence.
For many, Kidjo’s star on the Walk of Fame represents more than a personal milestone—it is a moment of triumph for Africa and for underrepresented voices in global entertainment.
Born in Ouidah, Benin, Kidjo often recalls listening to artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin while growing up—musicians whose boldness she credits with inspiring her own.
Now, she walks among them—literally and symbolically—as she prepares to leave her permanent mark on Hollywood Boulevard.
The 2026 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony will cement her legacy in Los Angeles, but her impact has always extended far beyond borders.
From Carnegie Hall to Lagos, from Paris to Havana, Angélique Kidjo has always brought the world to Africa—and Africa to the world.
