Beninese Music Icon Becomes First African Musician to Receive the Honour 
Five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first African musician and first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The 66-year-old Beninese singer was honoured during a ceremony in Hollywood on August 18, celebrating a career that has spanned more than four decades and 18 albums.
Kidjo used the emotional occasion to reflect on Africa's influence on global music and thanked her family, team and supporters before breaking into song during the ceremony.
A Landmark Moment for African Music
The Hollywood honour adds another major achievement to Kidjo's remarkable career. She has won five Grammy Awards and worked with leading international artists while bringing West African sounds to audiences around the world.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. praised her influence, describing her as an artist whose work has helped connect people and cultures through music. Actor Willem Dafoe also attended the ceremony and paid tribute to her artistic and humanitarian work.
Hollywood officially declared August 18 as Angélique Kidjo Day in recognition of the milestone.
For Africa, Kidjo's star represents more than a personal award. It is a major recognition of the continent's cultural influence and its contribution to global music.