By Bazona Barnabe Bado
Angélique Kidjo performed at SummerStage in Central Park on August 23, 2026, drawing hundreds of people to celebrate the festival’s 40th anniversary just one week after she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Before Ms. Kidjo took the stage, DJ Freshy K energized the audience for more than an hour. Joined by two female dancers, he kept people on the lawn and in the seated areas engaged, but the crowd was clearly eager to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoree. When Kidjo suddenly appeared in a flamboyant, striking outfit, the audience erupted.
The crowd applauded, cheered, sang, and danced as Ms. Kidjo opened with “Together.” Her commanding presence quickly transformed Central Park into a celebration of music, movement, and shared joy.
She later performed a song dedicated to her mother and to women everywhere. Removing the scarf from her head with theatrical flair, she danced as she sang, and at 66, her enthusiasm, energy, and joy captivated the audience.
Through her songs, the audience found hope, comfort, and celebration during an unforgettable live concert.
Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo is a Beninese singer, songwriter, actress, and activist known for blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk, Latin, reggae, and other global influences. A five-time Grammy Award winner and Polar Music Prize recipient, she has collaborated with artists including Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, and Peter Gabriel, and she became the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Her albums, including Djin Djin, Eve, Celia, and Mother Nature, often address social justice, women’s empowerment, and African heritage. She also founded the Batonga Foundation, serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and performs in multiple languages, including Fon, Yoruba, French, and English.