Angélique Kidjo has become the first African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a milestone she and fellow attendees framed as recognition of Africa's foundational role in global music. The Benin-born singer, 66, was honoured in Los Angeles alongside family, friends and stars including Willem Dafoe, Djimon Hounsou and Adekunle Gold, with the ceremony featuring singing and dancing to mark her career.

Over more than four decades, Kidjo has fused West African styles with funk, jazz, pop and R&B, releasing 18 albums and earning 17 Grammy nominations, of which she has won five. Her latest record, HOPE!!, came out this year with contributions from Pharrell Williams, Ayra Starr and Quavo, among others; she has also won the 2023 Polar Music Prize and was named on Time's 100 Most Influential People list. She joins South African actress Charlize Theron as one of the few Africans among the Walk of Fame's more than 2,800 stars, and is also known for her activism as a Unicef and Oxfam goodwill ambassador and co-founder of the Batonga Foundation.