'African Diva' Angélique Kidjo makes Hollywood Walk of Fame history
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'African Diva' Angélique Kidjo makes Hollywood Walk of Fame history
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The music legend will be honored with the 2,854th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 18th at 11:30 am PT at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard, across the street from the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Kidjo will receive her star in the category of Recording.
The honor holds immense cultural significance as Kidjo becomes the first Black African artist and the first African musician to earn a star on the Walk of Fame.
Overall, she is only the second African-born entertainer to be commemorated on the boulevard, following South African actress Charlize Theron, who was awarded her star in 2005.
Key figures joining the Beninese legend for the momentous occasion include acclaimed actor Willem Dafoe and Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez celebrated the historic inclusion, emphasizing that Kidjo’s artistic excellence and global advocacy have broken boundaries for African artists on the international stage.
She said: "Angélique Kidjo’s extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents. We are proud to honour her as the first African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognising her remarkable contributions to music and culture around the world.”
Born in 1960 in Dahomey (now the Republic of Benin), Kidjo began performing at a young age before relocating to Paris in the early 1980s to escape political instability under her country's oppressive regime.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, she has released 19 albums, mastering a dynamic sound that blends traditional West African rhythms, Fon and Yoruba heritage, jazz, R&B, Afropop, and Latin music.
Dubbed "Africa's Premier Diva," Kidjo has amassed 15 Grammy nominations and five wins, including four Best Global Music Album awards for seminal works like Eve, Sings, Celia, and Mother Nature.
In 2023, her career achievements were further cemented when she was awarded the prestigious Polar Music Prize. Beyond the studio, Kidjo has served as a UNICEF and Oxfam Goodwill Ambassador, leveraging her global platform to champion girls' education through her Batonga Foundation.
Kidjo has consistently bridged generational and geographical divides through her extensive cross-genre collaborations.
She has repeatedly teamed up with contemporary Afrobeats powerhouses, including Nigerian superstar Burna Boy on the critically acclaimed track "Do Yourself" and the Grammy-nominated "Do Yourself" collaborations.
She has also built a strong artistic relationship with Afrobeats icon Davido, appearing on his 2023 hit "Na Money" from the album Timeless and subsequently releasing their uplifting 2024 single "Joy".
Over the years, her vast catalog features work alongside global heavyweights such as Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Yo-Yo Ma, Philip Glass, and John Legend, demonstrating her unique ability to unite diverse musical traditions.
Reporting originally appeared via Citizen Digital. Read the full source for additional context.