The Beninese singer and five-time Grammy winner made history on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with Harvey Mason Jr. and Willem Dafoe paying tribute at the ceremony.
Five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo became the first Black African woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday. The ceremony took place under palm trees and a clear California sky, with film actors and music legends gathering to honor the 66-year-old singer from Benin, according to France 24.
Kidjo unveiled her star on the bustling avenue, and after thanking her team and family, she treated the crowd to a performance that left the audience breathless. "We Africans don't know what we've given the world. Without us, there is no music on this planet," Kidjo said.
Born in Benin, Kidjo has built an international career spanning more than 40 years and 18 albums. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, BBC included her among the 50 most famous African icons, and The Guardian listed her among the 100 most inspiring people in the world.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, called Kidjo a "rare artist." "Your example has elevated our global music community, and your work constantly reminds us that music is more than entertainment; it's connection. This star is a permanent symbol; it's not going anywhere, and it's a symbol of your achievements. But your legacy lives on in the people you've touched, inspired, in the barriers you've broken, in the connections you've created around the world," Mason Jr. said.
Actor Willem Dafoe praised her incredible energy on stage. "When I first saw Angelique perform live, I thought her music, dance, and dedication were incredible. She is, without a doubt, the hardest-working woman in show business," the actor said.
Dafoe particularly highlighted her commitment to humanitarian work through the Batonga Foundation, which works to empower girls and young women in Africa. "This isn't a symbolic celebrity appearance; it's an extension of what she does with her music. She moves us, uplifts us, and reminds us that we are all connected and that love and understanding are the right path," Dafoe concluded.
