Product Code Database
Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe (born 14 June 2002), professionally known as Ayra Starr ( ), is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She achieved mainstream international recognition in 2022 with the release of her song, "Rush." Rush had then charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It earned Starr a nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.
In early 2021, Ayra Starr began her career with the release of her self-titled debut EP and its lead single "Away," which spent two consecutive weeks at number four on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart; the song also peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Thriller Global chart. It was followed by the release of her debut studio album, 19 & Dangerous (2021). Categorized mainly as Afropop and R&B, the work received favorable critical reception and spawned two top 40 hits in Nigeria. The lead single, "Bloody Samaritan" became the first song by a solo female artist to reach the number-one position in the Top 50 charts. In August that same year, Starr was ranked number three on Billboards Next Big Sound.
In 2024, Starr released her second album, The Year I Turned 21.
Aderibigbe has expressed that her family's frequent relocations, driven by her father's business ventures, made it difficult to form lasting friendships during high school. She is the second of five children. She and her older brother, Dami, played music together in their childhood. At age ten, she joined the school choir and began writing songs with Dami, guided by their mother, a former singer. The siblings formed a band and regularly entered local music competitions together.
Though Aderibigbe gravitated toward the arts as a teen, her father often urged her to prioritize academics. She attended Les Cours Sonou University in Cotonou and received a BA degree in international relations and political science. During her college years, she was often bullied by her classmates because of her age and appearance. As a form of escapism, she turned to music. "I would listen to Nicki Minaj on my way to school, and I'd feel like the second Nicki Minaj." Aderibigbe's mother supported her musical ambitions and reportedly encouraged her to pursue a singing career.
In 2019, Aderibigbe started posting song Cover version by artists like Andra Day and 2Face Idibia on social media. That year, Starr also performed at a poetry show where she covered Jorja Smith's "Don't Watch Me Cry," recalling that some audience members cried during her set. She chose the stage name "Ayra Starr" because it meant "woke and eye-opening," values she identified with. She also appeared in the music video for Eri Ife's song "Dear Future Wife." Despite a growing online presence, she remained uncertain about pursuing music and even considered music management to support her brother Dami's ambitions. As a boarding school student, she had aspired to sign with Mavin Records, borrowing teachers' phones to stream videos of the label's artists such as Di'Ja and Korede Bello.
In December 2019, Starr uploaded an original song called "Damage" to her Instagram page. Within three hours, Mavin founder Don Jazzy sent her a message expressing his interest in her music and inviting her to meet. Don Jazzy had discovered her page through a follower who shared content from several young creatives. Starr's first sessions at Mavin Studios were her introduction to professional recording. She admitted being extremely nervous during those times; she and her brother would quietly celebrate whenever Don Jazzy left the room, then compose themselves again when he returned. She later reflected on the Mavin environment as familial rather than strictly business-oriented. Throughout 2020, she recorded at Mavin Studios in Lagos with producers Louddaaa, Don Jazzy, and Dayogrey.
In July 2021, Starr performed for the season finale of Nigerian Idol. On 6 August 2021, her debut studio album, titled 19 & Dangerous was released. For the album, she worked with her previous collaborators Louddaaa and Don Jazzy, both of whom contributed production on her EP Ayra Starr, and new collaborators, London and Andre Vibez. The album marked her first time recording alongside guest artists such as Fousheé and CKay. It was met with favorable critical reception, with most critics characterizing its sound as primarily Afropop and R&B. It spawned two top forty hits on the TurnTable Top 50, the highest beingBloody Samaritan," its lone single, which became Starr's first number-one single on the chart. The song climbed the Top 50 for several weeks, and, on the chart dated 27 September 2021, it reached number one, making Starr the first female artist to do so with a solo single. Starr also debuted on Pandora Predictions chart, and on 28 August 2021, she ranked number two on the Billboards Next Big Sound. She was featured on "in the light," a track on Johnny Drille's Before We Fall Asleep.
In September 2021, Starr was named brand ambassador for Pepsi Nigeria. The following day, Starr performed during a live eviction episode of Big Brother Naija. She collaborated with Cheque on "Dangerous", the second track on his album Bravo. At the 8th African Muzik Magazine Awards, she was nominated for the Best Newcomer award. In March 2022, Starr was named "Up Now" by music streaming service Audiomack.
In September 2022, Starr released "Rush" as part of the deluxe edition of 19 & Dangerous. The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It became the most streamed solo song by a Nigerian female artist on Spotify and made her become the youngest African female artist to surpass 100 million views on a single YouTube video; and also earned Starr her first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance. On 10 November 2022, Starr was featured on "2 Sugar," a track from Wizkid's fifth studio album More Love, Less Ego. The song reached number 1 on Billboard charts, and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
Throughout this period, Starr was also recording material for her next project at Mavin Studios in Lagos, working with regular collaborators. In March 2023, her music appeared on Creed III soundtrack, and in July 2023, she announced her first headlining world tour, , with 40 stops across North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia. The lead single from her next album, "Rhythm & Blues," was released in September 2023, exploring themes of romance and vulnerability. She was also featured on the David Guetta song "Big FU," along with rapper Lil Durk, which reached No. 23 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs and No. 18 on New Zealand Top 40 charts.
"Bad Vibes" featuring Seyi Vibez arrived on 10 May as the final single before the album; produced by Mystro, the track contemplated the pressures of success while affirming her commitment to protecting her energy. Each single was accompanied by a music video, building anticipation for the full-length project. On 31 May 2024, Starr's second studio album The Year I Turned 21 was officially released through Mavin Records. It marked an evolution in her craft, reflecting themes of self-discovery, love, grief and empowerment. She explained that the album title was inspired by her transition into adulthood, describing it as "not just about the age, but about the growth, self-discovery, and lessons I've learned along the way." Starr described the recording process as "a journey of experimentation and self-expression, where I allowed myself to be vulnerable." The album features guest appearances from Seyi Vibez, Coco Jones, Giveon, Asake, Anitta and Rauw Alejandro. Tracks like "Woman Commando," featuring Coco Jones and Anitta, highlight Starr's ability to merge Afrobeat rhythms with Western pop styles. Reflecting on the collaborations, she stated, "Each artist brought something unique, pushing me to explore new sides of my artistry." Upon its release, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Nigerian Albums Chart and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 195, making Starr the first Nigerian female artist to achieve this milestone. Critics praised its production and cohesive storytelling. Pitchfork described the album as "a bold and reflective work that redefines modern Afropop." Tracks like "21" received acclaim for their emotional depth, while "The Kids Are Alright" contained voice notes from Starr's family, offering listeners a glimpse into her personal life. Following the album's release, she performed at major international festivals and supported established artists on tours. She served as an opening act for Chris Brown's 2024 11:11 Tour across 26 North American cities from June to August, where she premiered new tracks from The Year I Turned 21. In June 2024, Starr made history as the first African female artist to perform on Glastonbury Festival's Pyramid Stage. She also headlined Afro Nation Detroit in August. Critics highlighted The Year I Turned 21 as a defining moment in Starr's career, with Billboard praising its "universal themes of growth and ambition that resonate across cultures." She collaborated with Coldplay on the song "Good Feelings" from their album Moon Music and was a supporting act for the band's Music of the Spheres World Tour in Australia and New Zealand.
In February 2025, Starr launched the year with her first single "All The Love". That same month, she made history at the MOBO Awards held at Newcastle's Newcastle Arena on 18 February, becoming the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act. She also secured Best International Act. In April, she became the first Nigerian female artist to receive a Latin Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for her 2024 collaboration "Santa" with Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, which grossed over 35 million streams. On 25 April, she released "Gimme Dat" featuring Wizkid, which nods to Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige's "911". In June, Starr won her first BET Award for Best International Act at the ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on 9 June, edging out nominees including Black Sherif, Rema, Tyla, and Uncle Waffles. Her Summer 2025 Tour kicked off on 20 June with a performance at Summerjam Festival in New Jersey, followed by appearances at St. Kitts Music Festival on 28 June and Montreal International Jazz Festival on 1 July. She joined British band Coldplay for multiple stadium dates on their Music of the Spheres World Tour, beginning with a three-night run at Rogers Stadium in Toronto on 7, 8 and 12 July. The tour continued through London's Wembley Stadium on 22 and 23 August, where Coldplay played a record-breaking ten dates at England's national stadium. In mid-July, Starr signed an international management deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation while remaining signed to Mavin Records for music releases. The partnership was designed to leverage her star power internationally, particularly in the United States market. The announcement, which surfaced on 16 July , confirmed that Roc Nation would oversee her global branding, touring, bookings, and endorsement deals, particularly across the United States and Europe. On 25 July, she released "Hot Body", a dancehall-infused single produced by Ragee and The Elements, which was praised by critics, with Billboard calling it a "steamy slow-wine groove". The track marked her first official release under Roc Nation management and became a contender for song of the summer.
On 27 September, Starr performed at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City's Central Park alongside headliners Cardi B and Shakira, as well as Tyla, Mariah the Scientist, and Camilo. The festival, hosted by Global Citizen Ambassador Hugh Jackman with co-hosts Bill Nye, Adam Lambert, Danai Gurira, and Liza Koshy, was broadcast live around the world to over 60,000 attendees at the Great Lawn. During her performance, Starr brought out her labelmate Rema as a surprise guest, and they performed "Rush" together, followed by Rema's hits "Calm Down" and "Baby (Is It a Crime)". The moment became one of the highlights of the festival. Following the performance, Starr and Rema released their first official collaboration as co-lead artists titled "Who's Dat Girl" on October 17. The track, produced by Ragee with additional production from The Elements, blended dancehall, R&B, and Middle Eastern influences into an Afro-dance experience. On 27 October 2025, Starr announced that she was working on her first book, though no details about the title, theme, or release date were provided. In November 2025, she headlined the Tidal Rave Festival at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, becoming the first major non-Ghanaian artist to headline the event in its 13-year history. Later that month, she confirmed in an interview with WZMX Hartford that she had moved to New York City, explaining that the decision arose from an intuitive connection to the city and a desire to broaden her sound while "carrying her culture" and Afrobeats identity into a global context. In the days following the news of her relocation, the Grammy Museum announced A New York Evening With Ayra Starr at National Sawdust in Brooklyn. On December 13, Starr launched a Substack newsletter; her first essay, "I'm Not Scared, I Promise," explored the challenges of adjusting to New York, from feelings of loneliness to the city's harsh winter climate. The museum event took place on December 16, with music journalist J'na Jefferson moderating a discussion of Starr's creative process and her Best African Music Performance nomination for "Gimme Dat", followed by live performances. During the programme, Starr credited Wizkid's influence on her approach, remarking that he taught her that "confidence is not noise." On 19 December, she performed at the GTCO Group Music Concert at Accra Sports Stadium, which drew an audience of over 30,000.
With the release of her first EP, some critics felt that her vocal technique bore a striking resemblance to Tems' musical style. In an interview with Cool FM, Starr spoke about comparisons to Tems: "I'm a young artist and Tems is an amazing musician, for people to compare me to such an amazing musician, it's a compliment and I'm honoured." Motolani Alake, reviewing the EP for Pulse wrote that "Ayra Starr isn't exactly a replica of Tems, but when she manipulates her vocals to stress the final syllable on words, sentences and cadences by flexing her , she definitely sounds like Tems." Alake also opined that both artists are different and that "Tems can be more alternative while Starr is more Nigerian and more Afropop with more lamba in her soul." Schön! Magazines Thandie Sibanda called the EP "a coming-of-age jukebox." Karen Chalamilla of The Floor remarked that Ayra Starr "not only solidifies the singer/songwriter as a standout vocalist, but also serves as an acute window into her artistic sensibilities."
Her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, explored mainly afropop and R&B but also introduced influences from neo-soul, jazz, and EDM. Critics praised her genre-fluid approach, with Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of Music in Africa noting that she "can work across genres while not quite sounding like anybody else." Starr's ability to blend multiple musical influences while maintaining her unique sound has become a hallmark of her artistry. This versatility is also exemplified in her second studio album, The Year I Turned 21, where she takes on a range of genres and styles. Bisi Ademola of African Folder, described it as a "not-too-ambitious, not-too-experimental" second effort. Despite these mixed reviews, the album has received acclaim for its incorporation of Afrobeats, Highlife, Amapiano, and UK-leaning vibes, as noted by Adeayo Adebiyi of Pulse Nigeria. The Year I Turned 21 adopts a more introspective tone than her previous work, navigating themes of self-discovery and independence. Kadish Morris of The Guardian pointed out that while the album creates "sultry soundscapes," some tracks feel short, pulling the listener out before fully immersing in the mood. Songs like "Freedom" and "Desire" highlight her fusion of African rhythms with Western pop, while tracks like "Let Me In" showcase her emotional depth and vocal range.
Starr has also cited Frank Ocean's Nostalgia, Ultra as inspiration for her evolving sound. Following the breakthrough success of "Bloody Samaritan" in 2021, Starr developed a mentorship relationship with Kelly Rowland, who joined the song's remix after it gained traction in the UK. Rowland became a significant influence on Starr's work ethic and approach to her career, advising her: "Sorry, you can't rest, this is not the time to rest," while sharing insights from her own experience with Destiny's Child about the importance of persistence and hard work. Starr has described Rowland as "the most amazing human being" and said "I'm so blessed to know her. She is an inspiration to me and everything to me." The mentorship extended beyond music, with Rowland offering guidance on navigating the pressures of stardom and maintaining authenticity in the industry. During her 21st birthday trip to Barbados in June 2022, former Victorious actor Leon Thomas III gifted her a song called "21" after they spent a month together in the studio trading life stories. The collaboration became a breakthrough moment for her album The Year I Turned 21. In April 2024, Starr met Rihanna at a Fenty event in London, a moment she described as surreal given Rihanna's longstanding impact on her artistry. The encounter deepened during the Crop Over Festival in Barbados, where the two spent time together. Starr later cited Rihanna's "Desperado" as a catalyst for her new musical era.
Starr has accumulated a series of historic milestones that position her among the most internationally successful African artists of her generation. She became the first female artist in the history of the Official Nigeria Top 100 Songs to reach number one with a solo single, and later set the record for the most number-one entries on the chart by a female artist, with four chart-topping credits. Her breakout single "Rush" achieved widespread commercial success, becoming the most-streamed solo song by a Nigerian female artist on Spotify and making her the youngest African female artist to surpass 100 million views on a single YouTube video. The song earned multiple international certifications, including Platinum in the UK, Canada and New Zealand, and a Diamond in France. Her 2023 collaboration with Ninho, "No Love", was also certified Diamond by the SNEP (SNEP) in France, representing 50 million equivalent streams, and earned her first Gold certification in Switzerland.
Starr's global presence expanded further with "Santa", a collaboration with Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, which peaked within the top ten of charts in several Latin territories and earned Starr the distinction of becoming the first Nigerian female artist to receive a Latin Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. "Santa" also achieved multi-platinum status in Spain and Mexico and peaked at number one in Spain and Bolivia, while charting across Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, and the Billboard Global 200. In 2024, her second album The Year I Turned 21 debuted at number one on the Official Nigeria Top 100 Albums and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 80 and Billboard 200 at number 195, making Starr the first Nigerian female artist to have an album debut on both charts. She is the first female Nigerian artist to surpass 20 million monthly listeners on streaming platform Spotify, where the album has garnered over 1 billion cumulative streams as of September 2025, solidifying her standing as one of the most globally streamed African artists.
Starr has also achieved milestones in live music. In 2023, she became the youngest African female artist to headline a , drawing audiences across North America, Europe, and Africa. The following year, she became the first African female artist to perform on Glastonbury Festival's Pyramid Stage, one of the world's most prestigious festival platforms. In 2025, she headlined the Tidal Rave Festival in Accra, becoming the first major non-Ghanaian artist to do so in the event's thirteen-year history. In addition to her commercial and touring achievements, she was inducted into the Imran Amed, which identifies the most influential figures shaping the global fashion and creative economies.
She appeared on the cover of Euphoria in 2024. She was featured in the Autumn 2024 issue of Wonderland, photographed by Danny Kasirye and styled by Toni-Blaze Ibekwe. In September 2024, she appeared on the cover of Dazed Magazine's Autumn 2024 issue, photographed by Zora Sicher. In October 2024, she was named the official ambassador for Infinix Mobile's HOT Series. She was in the cover of the "Rule The World" editorial for Blanc Magazine
She made her Fashion show debut in 2025 at the London Fashion Week, walking for Di Petsa and closing the show for the brand's Autumn/Winter 2025 collection.
| 2025 | Best African Music Act | |||
| Best International Act | ||||
| 2022 | Herself | Breakout Artist of the Year (Female) | ||
| Most Searched Musician (Female) | ||||
| "Beggie Beggie" (feat. CKay) | Best R&B Single | |||
| Best Collaboration | ||||
| "Toxic" | Best Vocal Performance (Female) | |||
| "Bloody Samaritan" | Best Afrobeats Single of the Year | |||
| Headies' Viewer's Choice | ||||
| 19 & Dangerous | Best Afrobeats Album | |||
| Album of the Year | ||||
| 2024 | "Last Heartbreak Song" (with Giveon) | Best R&B Single | ||
| 2023 | Best International Act | |||
| 2024 | "Commas" | BET Her Award | ||
| Herself | Best New Artist | |||
| Best International Act | ||||
| 2025 | Best New Artist | |||
| Best Female R&B/Pop Artist | ||||
| Best International Act | ||||
| "2 Sugar" (with Wizkid) | Best Afrobeats | |||
| 2024 | "Last Heartbreak Song" (feat. Giveon) | Best Afrobeats | ||
| 2025 | "Last Heartbreak Song" | Push Performance of the Year | ||
| 2026 | "Gimme Dat" | |||
| Herself | African Act of the Year | |||
| Best Afrobeats | ||||
| Best Push | ||||
| Featuring européen et/ou international (European and/or International featuring) |
|
|
