Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo is set to make history as the first African musician and first Black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Kidjo will receive the 2,854th star during a ceremony scheduled for August 18 at 11:30 a.m. PT at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
She will be joined at the ceremony by Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe and Grammy and Primetime Emmy-nominated songwriter and producer Harvey Mason Jr., who also serves as CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. The event will be hosted by Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson and streamed live.
Born in Benin, Kidjo moved to Paris in 1983 and has since built an acclaimed international career spanning more than four decades. The 64-year-old musician has released 19 albums since 1981 and has won five Grammy Awards.
Her Grammy wins include Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2008 and four Best Global Music Album awards between 2015 and 2022. She was also awarded the Polar Music Prize in 2023.
Kidjo has earned global recognition for blending West African musical traditions with genres including funk, jazz and R&B. Over the course of her career, she has collaborated with major international acts including Burna Boy, Philip Glass, Sting, Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, John Legend, Bono and Yo-Yo Ma.
Her Hollywood Walk of Fame recognition places her alongside Charlize Theron as one of the African-born figures represented at the landmark. Theron, a South African actress, received her star in 2005.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the city of Los Angeles, has remained one of the world's most recognised entertainment landmarks since its establishment in 1960. Millions of visitors travel to the site each year.
