Remember when we told you that Grammy-winning legend Angélique Kidjo and our own “Celestial Being” Ayra Starr were cooking something special in the studio? Well, the wait is over, and it turns out not even a literal storm could stop this collaboration.

Taking to Instagram to share the backstory, Angélique revealed that the duo joined forces at the iconic Power Station Recording Studio in New York on 22 February—the day of the “Blizzard of the Century.” Despite the freezing winds outside, the energy inside was pure fire. “Not even a storm could have prevented us from singing and dancing together! Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?) was born!” the legend shared.

The track is a vibrant, cross-generational anthem that explores the balance between “jaye” (living the life) and the hustle. Ayra Starr brings her signature flair to the lyrics, weaving between English and Yoruba with lines like “Awon kan jaye, awon kan si ma ja waya”—a reminder of the diverse rhythms of life.

The production credits read like a Mavin Records dream team, with Louddaaa handling the beat and the multi-talented Johnny Drille delivering a soulful depth mix.

Watch the official video for “Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?)” below:

Watch below

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Angélique Kidjo and Ayra Starr sitting in a recording studio for their Aye Kan collaboration. Photo Credit: Angélique Kidjo/Instagram

Do you know Angélique Kidjo and Ayra Starr have been cooking something in the studio? Don’t worry, this Friday, you get to feast on a single from the duo. Now, the secret is officially out.

The five-time Grammy Award winner has confirmed that Ayra Starr is the special guest on her upcoming single, “Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back?)”. She shared the news on social media alongside a glimpse into their studio session, adding that they had “so much fun” putting the track together. From the dancing in the video, it’s easy to see what she means.

This collaboration has been a long time coming. The two first set the internet buzzing earlier this year when they met at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala in Los Angeles. Seeing the Beninese legend and the Nigerian star share a moment on the red carpet, with Ayra in a champagne corset gown, had many hoping for a musical link-up. It turns out they got to work not long after.

Ayra Starr in a bronze off-the-shoulder gown posing with five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo, who is wearing a grey blazer and red headwrap, at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year gala in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: Angélique Kidjo/Instagram

For Ayra Starr, this is another big moment in a busy year. She is still riding the wave of her latest single, “Where Do We Go,” and a collaboration with a global icon like Kidjo further reinforces her place as one of the continent’s most exciting voices.

As for the “Queen of African Music,” this release sets the tone for what’s ahead. The single leads into Angélique’s highly anticipated 19th studio album, “Hope!!,” arriving on 24 April. The project also features names like Davido and The Cavemen, making it one to look out for.

Mark your calendars for Friday, 27 March. Something tells us this one will be on repeat for a while.

 

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Close-up studio portrait of Angélique Kidjo wearing a red headscarf and a black top with colourful 3D floral appliqués, smiling against a white background for her “Hope!!” album campaign. Photo Credit: Angélique Kidjo/Instagram

If there is one artist who has spent decades proving that African music belongs everywhere, on every stage, in every conversation, it is Angélique Kidjo. And she is not slowing down. The legendary Beninese singer has just announced her 19th studio album, “Hope!!,” arriving on 24th April 2026, and from what we already know about it, the continent has every reason to be excited.

This is a 14-track album five years in the making, dedicated to Kidjo’s late mother Yvonne, who she described as a lasting source of optimism and courage. That dedication is not just sentimental. It carries all the way through to the closing track, a version of Malaika, a song her mother loved.

The album features Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers, Quavo, Charlie Wilson, Fally Ipupa, Diamond Platnumz, PJ Morton, IZA, Florent Pagny, Dadju and the Soweto Gospel Choir, alongside Nigerian acts Davido, Ayra Starr and The Cavemen. Pharrell also produced three tracks for the album in Paris.

The presence of Davido, Ayra Starr and The Cavemen on this project is worth noting. Kidjo and Davido are no strangers to each other — the two have previously collaborated on “Na Money” and “Joy.” Seeing them reunite on “Hope!!” adds another chapter to a working relationship that has already produced two songs together.

Ayra Starr in a bronze off-the-shoulder gown posing with five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo, who is wearing a grey blazer and red headwrap, at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year gala in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: Angélique Kidjo/Instagram

The first single, “Fall on Me,” features PJ Morton and gives an early sense of the album’s tone, shaped by themes of joy, strength and perseverance. Kidjo has said she poured her whole heart into this project, and with a feature list that bridges continents, generations and genres, it shows.

“Hope!!” follows her 2021 album “Mother Nature,” which won a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album

 

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Photo Credit: Ciara/Instagram

Ciara is back in Benin — this time on a much bigger stage. The Grammy-winning singer returned to the country in early January 2026 to perform at Vodun Days, just months after being granted Beninese citizenship, marking her first major public appearance in Benin since her naturalisation.

She was naturalised in July 2025 through a legal framework created to recognise people of African descent whose ancestors were deported from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade. The policy, overseen through the My Afro Origins platform, forms part of a broader state-led approach that combines remembrance, cultural heritage and diaspora engagement.

Vodun Days, held from 8 to 10 January 2026 in Ouidah, is one of the initiatives linked to this strategy. The festival was created to present vodun as a contemporary cultural and spiritual heritage, bringing together traditional ceremonies, artistic programming and international participation. Ouidah, a former slave port, has become central to Benin’s remembrance efforts, with sites such as the Slave Route and the Door of No Return frequently referenced within this framework.

Ciara had previously visited several of these memorial sites following her naturalisation. Her appearance at the 2026 edition of Vodun Days came as part of the festival’s international programme, which has featured artists including Angélique Kidjo and Davido in recent years.

She performed on 9 January, the second day of the event, before a large audience in Ouidah. Her set featured choreographed performances and structured stage production, with “Level Up” drawing a strong audience response as attendees joined in during the song.

Ciara attended the festival alongside her husband, former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, who was visiting Benin for the first time. During Vodun Days, Wilson announced that he had begun the process of applying for Beninese citizenship under the same Afro-descendant initiative.

According to information from corroborating sources, Wilson’s application is being processed through the My Afro Origins programme. The initiative allows eligible applicants to establish ancestral links to sub-Saharan Africa and apply for nationality under defined legal and administrative criteria.

Vodun Days 2026 formed part of Benin’s wider efforts to position cultural heritage and historical remembrance as elements of its cultural and tourism strategy.

 

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Photo Credit: Angelique Kidjo/Instagram

Would you try this golden bronze look for your birthday? Music legend Angélique Kidjo just gave us a masterclass in pared-back beauty and presence, with nothing but a buzz cut, warm light, and bold accessories.

Her hair is shaved low, shaped close to the scalp with such precision that it becomes a statement in itself. It’s clean, sculptural and unapologetically confident, pulling attention to her bone structure and the curve of her head without needing extra detail.

The makeup follows that same quiet rhythm: softly bronzed skin that catches warmth without flash, lips in a glossy nude-brown that complements her undertone, and eyes defined just enough to hold their own. Her brows remain natural and unfussed.

Then, the earrings: oversized, hammered-metal circles in a rich copper tone. No necklace, no additional styling. Just space for the earrings to speak.

See the beautiful birthday photo below

 

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Angélique Kidjo joins a 35‑strong roster that includes Grammy winners Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Bone Thugs‑N‑Harmony, Lyle Lovett, The Clark Sisters, and Intocable, as well as actors, Timothée Chalamet and Demi Moore.

By Abioye Damilare Samson

Grammy-winning music legend, Angélique Kidjo, has been announced as part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026, making her the first African artiste to receive a star on the famed boulevard.

Kidjo joins a 35‑strong roster that includes Grammy winners Miley Cyrus, Josh Groban, Bone Thugs‑N‑Harmony, Lyle Lovett, The Clark Sisters, and Intocable, as well as actors Timothée Chalamet and Demi Moore. 

The honourees span six categories: recordings, motion pictures, television, live theatre/live performance, sports entertainment, and radio, and were revealed during a press conference at Ovation Hollywood on Wednesday, July 2.

The selection committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce chose the inductees from “hundreds” of nominations at its 20 June meeting, with the board of directors ratifying the list on 25 June. “These talented individuals have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, and we are thrilled to honour them with this well‑deserved recognition”, said Peter Roth, former CEO of Warner Bros. Television and chair of the Walk of Fame committee.

While dates have yet to be scheduled, recipients have two years from the date of selection to schedule star ceremonies before they expire. Angélique Kidjo’s recognition marks a monumental moment for African representation in global pop culture. Her storied career, which spans continents and genres, remains a beacon of creative excellence and cultural pride for Africa and the diaspora at large.

See the complete list of honourees here.

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Global music icon Angélique Kidjo has been selected to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making her the first African musician to be honored in this way. The Beninese singer, known for her powerful voice and commitment to social justice, was named as part of the Walk of Fame Class of 2026 under the ‘Recording’ category.

The announcement was made in Los Angeles by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The organization, which oversees the Walk of Fame, confirmed that Kidjo joins a list of 2026 honorees that includes Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Miley Cyrus, and Intocable.

Kidjo’s selection marks a major moment in music history. While artists from Africa have long shaped global culture, few have been acknowledged by institutions like the Walk of Fame. This inclusion, overdue as it may be, once again brings a strong voice from the African continent into focus.

Born in Ouidah, Benin, Kidjo began her career in West Africa before moving to France in the 1980s. She rose to fame through a unique blend of Afrobeat, funk, and pop. Her lyrics, sung in Fon, Yoruba, French, and English, explore themes such as identity and liberation.

She has released more than a dozen albums over the course of her career. Her projects have included reinterpretations of classic works, such as her reimagining of the Talking Heads’ Remain in Light, and tributes to women and African heritage on albums like Eve and Mother Nature. She has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, and has collaborated with artists such as Alicia Keys, Burna Boy, Philip Glass, and Carlos Santana.

Beyond music, Kidjo is known for her humanitarian work. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the founder of the Batonga Foundation, which supports the education of girls across Africa. Her advocacy for women’s rights and cultural equity has earned her awards from the United Nations, Amnesty International, and the World Economic Forum.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame, which began in 1960, features over 2,700 stars along Hollywood Boulevard. Receiving a star is considered one of the highest honors in American popular culture. The Walk celebrates contributions to entertainment in categories such as film, television, radio, live theatre, and recordings.

With this recognition, Kidjo takes her place among the most celebrated performers of our time.

La légende béninoise de la musique, Angélique Kidjo, revient sur le devant de la scène avec une nouvelle pépite : Nadi Balance. Ce mardi 1er juillet 2025, elle a annoncé sur ses réseaux sociaux la sortie imminente de ce morceau événement. Pour l’occasion, l’artiste aux multiples Grammy Awards s’est entourée de pointures de la scène …

L’article Angélique Kidjo frappe fort avec « Nadi Balance » aux côtés de Fally Ipupa est apparu en premier sur Africa Top Success.

Photo Credit: Angelique Kidjo/Instagram

Angélique Kidjo is making history. The five-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer, often called “Africa’s premiere diva” by TIME Magazine, is set to become the first African artist ever to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Known for her powerful voice, genre-blending music and electric stage presence, Kidjo will be honoured in the Recordings category alongside global stars like Miley Cyrus, The Clark Sisters, and more. The honour recognises her decades of groundbreaking work in music and her role in sharing African sound and culture with the world.

The announcement came during a live press conference at Ovation Hollywood, where the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce revealed the Walk of Fame Class of 2026—a list of 35 artists across music, film, television, live theatre and sports entertainment.

“We are excited to announce the newest selections of 35 esteemed individuals who will be enshrined onto the Walk of Fame,” said Peter Roth, former CEO of Warner Bros. Television and chair of the selection committee. “These talented individuals have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, and we are thrilled to honour them with this well-deserved recognition.”

Other stars who will be honoured alongside Kidjo include Timothée Chalamet and Demi Moore (Film), Chef Gordon Ramsay (Television), and Shaquille O’Neal (Sports Entertainment).

Angelique Kidjo is the first African artist in history to be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame!https://t.co/2ByFcbWiiA pic.twitter.com/iFkWtnBv03

— Angelique Kidjo (@angeliquekidjo) July 3, 2025

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