By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is set to make history on Tuesday as the first African musician and first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Beninese-born singer will be honoured on the famed Hollywood boulevard in Los Angeles, marking another major milestone in her more than four-decade career.
Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez described Kidjo as an artist whose “extraordinary artistry and global influence” have inspired audiences across generations and continents.
The 66-year-old musician, widely recognised as one of Africa’s most influential global music stars, has built an international career spanning more than 40 years.
Kidjo will be joined at the ceremony by Oscar-nominated American actor Willem Dafoe and record producer Harvey Mason Jr.
Speaking after the honour was announced, Kidjo said she hoped her achievement would pave the way for other African artists to receive similar recognition.
The Grammy winner, who was once described by Time magazine as “Africa’s premier diva,” has consistently used her music to promote African culture and connect audiences around the world.
Her Hollywood Walk of Fame star adds another prestigious achievement to a career that has already earned her five Grammy Awards and international acclaim.
For Kidjo, the recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a historic moment for African music on the global stage.
