Beninese music star and five-time Grammy winner, Angelique Kidjo, is set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first African musician and Black African to earn the prestigious recognition.
The historic ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, marking another major milestone in Kidjo’s more than four-decade career on the global music scene.
The 66-year-old singer, Kidjo, who hails from Benin, has carved out a remarkable global career spanning more than four decades, earning widespread acclaim for her musical talent and cultural influence.
Hollywood Walk of Fame producer, Ana Martinez, said Kidjo’s global impact and artistic achievements made her deserving of the honour.
“Angelique Kidjo’s extraordinary artistry and global influence have inspired audiences across generations and continents,” Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a news release.
“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.”
Kidjo will be joined at the ceremony by Oscar-nominated American actor Willem Dafoe and record producer Harvey Mason Jr.
Reflecting on the honour when it was announced last year, Kidjo said she hoped her achievement would pave the way for more African artistes.
“I may be the first African female singer to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I am convinced that I will not be the last,” she said.
“Many others will follow, and that fills my heart with joy,” she said at the time.