Lil Wayne, Karol G, Smashing Pumpkins Get 2027 Walk of Fam

The Hollywood Walk of Fame just dropped its class of 2027, and the list is a wild mix of rap royalty, reggaeton firepower, and '90s alt-rock angst. Lil Wayne, Karol G, and Smashing Pumpkins have all been tapped to receive stars on the iconic boulevard, cementing their legacies in pavement and tourist selfies. The announcement, made earlier today, confirms that these three acts will join the pantheon of entertainment legends when the new stars are unveiled next year.

If you’ve ever walked the Walk of Fame, you know it’s a bit of a crowded dance floor - everyone from Mickey Mouse to Marilyn Manson has a piece of real estate there. But the selection committee tends to mix eras and genres like a DJ who’s not afraid to play “Lollipop” back-to-back with “1979.” This year's lineup is proof that the Walk's gatekeepers are paying attention to both streaming numbers and album sales that span decades.

Lil Wayne’s Weezyana Moment

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. - better known as Lil Wayne, Weezy, or simply the best rapper alive (his words, not ours) - has been grinding since he was a preteen in New Orleans. With over 100 million records sold, a Grammy collection that could fill a decent-sized display case, and enough mixtapes to crash your hard drive, he’s getting the star to cap off a career that redefined Southern hip-hop. Wayne’s influence stretches from Drake (“Thank me later” really means “thank Wayne earlier”) to Nicki Minaj, and his punchlines have been quoted in dorm rooms and boardrooms alike. Expect his acceptance speech to be equal parts humble, unhinged, and likely referencing skateboarding or codeine - all part of the brand. The star will likely land somewhere near the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, though the exact location is still TBD. Given his long history of eccentricity, fans are already betting he'll show up in a wheelchair or a custom-made red suit, just to keep things interesting.

Karol G’s Reggaeton Reign

No pop star has dominated global charts quite like Karol G in recent years. The Colombian singer, born Carolina Giraldo Navarro, has become the go-to voice for reggaeton’s crossover into mainstream pop culture. From “Tusa” to “Mamiii” to “Provenza,” she has turned breakup anthems into dance-floor staples and sold out arenas from Medellín to Madrid. She’s also broken barriers - becoming the first woman to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 entirely in Spanish. Her star will sit on the Walk as a testament to how Latin music is no longer a “crossover” curiosity but the very core of pop. Given that the Walk of Fame has historically under-represented Latin artists (still waiting on a certain Rosalía? Maybe next year), this pick feels both overdue and absolutely correct. Karol G’s fans, known as “Bichotas,” will likely swarm Hollywood Boulevard in a sea of pink hair and good vibes. One can only hope she brings the energy of her live shows - which often involve confetti, fire, and the entire crowd screaming every word in both Spanish and English.

Smashing Pumpkins’ Eternal Anguish

And then there’s the band that taught a generation that sadness could be loud, layered, and filled with guitar solos. Smashing Pumpkins - fronted by the perpetually brooding Billy Corgan - will also get their star, a recognition that feels like a full-circle moment for a band that started in Chicago’s underground and ended up selling 30 million albums worldwide. From the shimmering despair of Siamese Dream to the sprawling ambition of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, the Pumpkins defined the alternative rock sound of the ‘90s. They’ve weathered breakups, lawsuits, and Corgan’s occasional forays into professional wrestling (yes, really), but they remain a live powerhouse. The Walk of Fame selection committee probably debated whether to give the star to the original four or to the current rotating lineup. But in true Pumpkin fashion, they’ll likely accept with a cryptic speech about the transience of fame and the existential void. Corgan will probably spend the next year arguing online about whether the star is placed correctly.

What This Means for the Boulevard

Getting a star is a huge deal - it costs the honoree about $75,000 in sponsorship fees (covering the ceremony, security, and maintenance), but the prestige is priceless. The 2027 list also includes other names we don’t have space to unpack here, but Wayne, Karol G, and the Pumpkins are the undisputed headliners. The Walk of Fame ceremony is a public event, open to anyone willing to stand on a hot sidewalk for a few hours. Expect Lil Wayne’s fans to out-hype everyone, Karol G’s stans to bring the choreography, and a handful of dads in flannel to tear up during the Smashing Pumpkins induction.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce hasn’t announced exact dates for the ceremonies, but they usually happen throughout the year. One thing is certain: 2027 will be a year where a proud New Orleanian, a Colombian queen, and a bunch of melancholic rockers from Chicago will all share the same block of real estate. If that doesn’t sum up the chaotic beauty of modern pop culture, nothing will.

Source: Rolling Stone Australia