Ayra Starr
2X GRAMMY-nominated global Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr has quickly become one of this generation’s most undeniable new voices in music. Renowned for her anthemic Afrobeats tracks and unapologetic style, the Beninese-Nigerian artist has amassed critical acclaim from tastemaker press, a massive international following, over 7 billion global streams, and 1 billion YouTube views.
Following the release of her defining debut album 19 & Dangerous, her position as Africa’s hottest rising star has seen Ayra Starr tapped for collaborations with some of music’s biggest names, including Wizkid, Stormzy, Rema, Coldplay, Tiwa Savage, and Leigh-Anne and co-signs from the likes of Rihanna.
The rising star gained major traction over the last few years but vaulted to the forefront of Afrobeats with 2022’s “Rush,” which gathered nearly 1 billion global streams and attracted R&B icon Kelly Rowland on a high-powered remix. Recognized as a growing phenomenon early on, Ayra notably picked up nominations at the Billboard Music Awards, BET Awards, MTV VMAs, and Soul Train Awards. She made history at the MOBO Awards as the first African woman to win “Best International Act” and the first woman in 16 years to win “Best African Music Act.”
She earned her first GRAMMY nomination for “Best African Music Performance” for “Rush,” cementing her as the first and youngest Nigerian female artist ever nominated in that category in 2024. Her momentum continued the next year with another GRAMMY nomination for “Best African Music Performance” for her electrifying collaboration with Wizkid on “Gimme Dat.”
Ayra continued to make waves with smash hits “Hot Body,” “Who’s Dat Girl,” and “Where Do We Go” which she performed on The Jennifer Hudson show earlier this year.
Now entering a bold new era, Ayra Starr released her highly anticipated album Starrgirl, became the first Afrobeats artist to headline an NFL International Game Halftime Show and announced the “Starrgirl” World Tour, which kicks off in January of 2027. These milestones mark another major evolution for the global star as she continues to push boundaries with her genre-blending sound, fearless storytelling, and magnetic presence.
A genre-breaking, generation-defining talent, Ayra Starr continues to bring Afrobeats to the forefront here in the U.S. and across the world redefining what it means to be a global superstar.