Angélique Kidjo receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo has become the first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 66-year-old, five-time Grammy Award winner, was honored in Los Angeles during a ceremony attended by industry figures including Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and actor Willem Dafoe.

Kidjo, who has maintained an international career for over four decades, described the honor as a milestone for African music and artists globally. “It’s not just my star, it’s our star,” she stated, emphasizing the profound influence of African culture on international music.

Beyond her musical achievements, the ceremony highlighted Kidjo’s humanitarian work. Through her Batonga Foundation, she advocates for the empowerment and education of girls and young women across Africa. She also serves as an ambassador for UNICEF and Oxfam.