Beninese-French singer and actress Angélique Kidjo is poised to make history as she becomes the first African musician to receive a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. The multi-talented artist, celebrated globally for her rich voice, eclectic musical style, and cultural advocacy, was named among 36 honorees who will be awarded a star on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. This prestigious recognition not only celebrates her groundbreaking contributions to music and the arts but also marks a significant milestone for African artists on the global stage.
A five-time Grammy Award winner, Angélique Kidjo has long been recognized as one of the most powerful voices in world music. Over her decades-long career, she has continuously defied genre boundaries, blending elements of Afrobeat, jazz, funk, reggae, and traditional West African sounds. Her music, often infused with political and social messages, speaks to themes of identity, resilience, empowerment, and cultural pride.
Born in Ouidah, Benin, in 1960, Kidjo was introduced to music and performance at an early age by her mother, a theatrical director. Inspired by the music of artists like Miriam Makeba, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, she began performing as a teenager before moving to Paris in the early 1980s to pursue a professional music career. There, she immersed herself in the multicultural music scene, forming connections that would shape her globally-influenced sound.
Kidjo's breakthrough album Logozo (1991) helped establish her international reputation. Since then, she has released more than a dozen critically acclaimed albums, including Oyaya!, Djin Djin, and Mother Nature. Her 2014 album Eve, a tribute to African women, and her 2015 album Sings, a collaboration with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, won her Grammy Awards for Best World Music Album. Her 2022 win for Mother Nature made her one of the most decorated African artists in Grammy history.
Yet Kidjo’s influence goes far beyond her musical achievements. She is a committed humanitarian and activist, using her platform to advocate for education, human rights, and gender equality. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the founder of the Batonga Foundation, which supports the education and empowerment of young girls in Africa. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Polar Music Prize, the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum, and inclusion in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people.
Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame symbolizes recognition from one of the most influential cultural institutions in the world. Situated in the heart of Los Angeles, the Walk of Fame honors luminaries from across film, television, radio, theater, and music. To see Angélique Kidjo’s name alongside legends like Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, and Ella Fitzgerald is not only a personal triumph but a victory for African music as a whole. It acknowledges the growing influence and importance of African voices in shaping global culture.
Kidjo's upcoming induction onto the Walk of Fame is a moment of pride for the African diaspora, and for those who have long called for greater representation of African artistry in global cultural spaces. For many, Kidjo’s recognition validates the power and relevance of African music, and serves as an inspiration for artists across the continent.
This historic recognition affirms what many already know—Angélique Kidjo is not only a musical legend but a cultural icon whose work continues to inspire across borders, generations, and genres.
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