Breaking Barriers: Angélique Kidjo Shines on Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first African musician and first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The five-time Grammy winner was celebrated by A-list creatives for her four-decade career and profound impact on music and humanitarianism. This momentous occasion marks a new milestone in her illustrious journey.
Angélique Kidjo, the five-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, actress, and activist, has officially made history by becoming the first African musician and the first Black African to be immortalized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The momentous ceremony, held on a breezy California afternoon on Tuesday, August 18, celebrated Kidjo's impressive four-decade career and profound global impact.
Variety’s Angelique Jackson hosted the star-studded event, which drew a distinguished list of A-list creatives. Among the notable attendees were four-time Academy Award-nominated actor Willem Dafoe, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., Academy Award-nominated, Benin-born actor Djimon Hounsou, and Nigerian music star Adekunle Gold, all gathered to honor Kidjo, 64.
During her heartfelt speech, Kidjo passionately declared, "We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world, what we continue giving to the world; without us there’s no music possible [on] this planet." Her words resonated with the audience, and she joyously broke into song and dance over her brand new star. Adding to the day's significance, Ron Frierson, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, proclaimed August 18 as Angélique Kidjo Day in Hollywood.
Hailing from Benin, Kidjo stands as one of the most important global figures in African music. Her illustrious career is marked by numerous accolades, including five Grammy Awards, the prestigious Polar Music Prize, and a performance at the 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Tokyo. She has also sent 14 titles to the top 10 of World Albums charts. In 2021, TIME magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and in 2022, she performed the 1,000th NPR Tiny Desk concert.
Throughout her storied journey, Kidjo has collaborated with a diverse array of artists across various genres, including Alicia Keys, Burna Boy, Yo-Yo Ma, Bono, Peter Gabriel, and even John Lennon. She holds the distinction of being the most Grammy-awarded artist in the best global music album category, with four of her five wins occurring in the last decade. Her latest album, "April’s Hope!!", features appearances by prominent artists such as Pharrell Williams, Quavo, Davido, Charlie Wilson, PJ Morton, and Ayra Starr.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. lauded Kidjo’s enduring legacy, stating, "This star is a permanent symbol; it’s not going anywhere, and it’s a symbol of your achievements. But your legacy, it lives in the people that you’ve touched, that you’ve inspired, the barriers that you’ve broken, the connections you’ve created all around the world… Angélique is absolutely one of those rare artists." Willem Dafoe, a friend of Kidjo’s since 2002, echoed this sentiment, praising her as "without a doubt, the hardest-working woman in show business" and admiring her incredible music, dancing, and commitment.
Beyond her artistic prowess, Kidjo is deeply committed to humanitarian work through her Batonga Foundation. This organization is dedicated to empowering girls and young women in Africa, providing them with education and opportunities. Dafoe highlighted this aspect, noting, "This is not a token celebrity involvement; it is an extension of what she does with her music. She stirs us, lifts us up, and reminds us that we’re all connected, and that love and understanding is the way."