WHO | HONOREE Paulinho Da Costa
EMCEE NBC4 News Reporter, John Cádiz Klemack
GUEST SPEAKERS Musician Larry Dunn and Singer/songwriter and Walk of Famer Ray Parker Jr.
WHAT Dedication of the 2,844th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
WHEN Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 at 11:30 AM PT
WHERE 1709 Vine Street near the historic corner of Hollywood & Vine
WATCH LIVE The event was streamed live exclusively at www.walkoffame.com
Paulinho Da Costa was honored with the 2,844th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 13th at 11:30 am PT at 1709 Vine Street. Da Costa received his star in the category of Recording. Joining emcee John Cádiz Klemack were Larry Dunn and Ray Parker Jr.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the legendary Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has proudly hosted the globally iconic star ceremonies for decades. Millions of people from here and around the world have visited this cultural landmark since 1960.
ABOUT OUR HONOREE
“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome musician Paulinho Da Costa to the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” stated Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame producer. His extraordinary rhythm and unmistakable sound have elevated countless recordings and inspired generations of musicians around the world. It is a privilege to recognize his enduring contributions to music and his remarkable career with this well-deserved honor,” added Martinez.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Paulinho Da Costa discovered his love for percussion at the tender age of five by exploring the different sounds of everything he could get his hands on. While still in his early teens, he joined several musical groups, traveling extensively throughout the world. Upon arriving in the United States, the multi-versed percussionist carved a sizable niche in the music community.
Contributing his musical passion and unique rhythmic signature to more than 1,000 artist projects, his name appears on over 2,500 albums and 6,000 songs, including numerous top-selling records. Over the decades, his work spans countless collaborations with legendary figures like Quincy Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis, as well as pop superstars including Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Sting. Perhaps even more outstanding than the multitude and caliber of artists he plays with is the variety of musical styles he has mastered.
Throughout his prolific career, Paulinho has been involved with some of the decade’s bestselling projects, including the record-breaking Thriller, the landmark recording “We Are the World,” and the percussion-dominated successes of “All Night Long” and “La Isla Bonita.”
However, not only has Da Costa made a profound impact within the record industry, but his talents are also proudly recognized in both film and television. His movie credits range from the Oscar-nominated motion picture The Color Purple, to thrilling action hits like Transformers and Mission Impossible. Plus, Paulinho has contributed to a countless number of films that have connected with people worldwide, such as the Academy Award-winning Dirty Dancing and Purple Rain, Saturday Night Fever, Footloose, Jurassic Park, Hairspray, and Indiana Jones.
Through radio and television, the sounds of Paulinho Da Costa come into your home daily. Paulinho laid his musical imprint on generations to come with numerous hit songs. Many of those tracks have so resonated with people that they have been sampled time and again by music superstars like Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, and the Black Eyed Peas.
Throughout his career, Paulinho has been performing live with several world-renowned artists, as well as for the most important causes of our time. His participation at prestigious events and venues has included performances at Wembley Stadium, The Kennedy and Lincoln Centers for the Performing Arts, the Playboy Jazz Festival, The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the Montreux Jazz Festival. The many talented artists in concert include Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Rod Stewart, Mary J. Blige, Diana Krall, Seal, Jon Bon Jovi, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Lalo Schifrin, and David Foster to name a few.
In recognition of his incredible talent, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented Paulinho with its Most Valuable Player Award for three consecutive years, as well as the honorary Musicians Emeritus Award. His skills have inspired the Los Angeles Times to describe him as “a virtuoso on percussion,” and Downbeat Magazine has labeled him as “one of the most talented percussionists of our time.”
Paulinho Da Costa is featured in the documentary The Groove Under the Groove: The Sounds of Paulinho Da Costa. The film explores his journey as one of the most recorded musicians in history, featuring his collaborations with music icons and
unique rhythmic influences.
Da Costa is involved with the following charities: USA for Africa, Concert of the Americas, Rainforest Foundation Benefit, MAP – Supporting Musicians Assistance Program and many others.
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