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Ayra Starr

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Ayra Starr Verified artist
Aderibigbe performing in 2023
Monthly views
0
Background information
Birth name Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe
Born 14 June 2002 (age 24)
Cotonou, Benin
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s) Vocals
Years active 2021–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website [ayrastarr.com ayrastarr.com]

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe (born 14 June 2002), known professionally as Ayra Starr (/ˈaɪrə_ˈstɑːr/ EYErəstar), is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.Home. Ayra Starr. Retrieved 2026-04-19 She achieved international recognition in 2022 with the release of her song "Rush" which charted in several countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.[1] The song earned Aderibigbe a nomination for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.[2]

In early 2021, she released her self-titled debut EP and its lead single, "Away". Her debut EP was followed by the release of her debut studio album, 19 & Dangerous (2021).Amoye, Temisan19 & Dangerous: An expansive and cohesive intro to Ayra Starr. Vanguard News. 2021-08-23. Retrieved 2026-04-19 The album appeared in year-end lists by publications such as NativeMag.Animashaun, DamilolaOur First Impressions of Ayra Starr’s Deluxe of ‘19 & Dangerous’. The NATIVE. 2022-10-21. Retrieved 2026-03-16 The lead single, "Bloody Samaritan," became the first song by a solo female artist to reach the No. 1 position in the Top 50 charts.Top 10 Nigeria music countdown: Ayra Starr comes first with multiple No. 1 songs in Nigeria. Vanguard. 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2026-03-16 In August of that same year, Aderibigbe was ranked No. 3 on BillboardTemplate:'s Next Big Sound.[3]

In 2024, Aderibigbe released her second album, The Year I Turned 21.Ayra Starr The Year I Turned 21. Collector's Choice Music

Aderibigbe announced that her third studio album, Starr Girl, would be released on 14 August 2026.

Life and career

Early life

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe was born in Benin and raised in Cotonou and Lagos, Nigeria.[4] She is of Nigerian and Yoruba heritage,ETUKUDO, ItoroHow I came about the name, Ayra Starr. The ICIR. 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2025-04-09 with both parents from Kwara State.Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe (Ayra Starr). Africa Boku Talent. Retrieved 2026-04-13 She is multilingual, knowing Yoruba, French, English, and Nigerian Pidgin.[5]

She is the second of five children. She and her older brother, Damilola, played music together during their childhood.[6]

Though she gravitated toward the arts as a teen, her father often urged her to prioritize academics.[6] She attended Les Cours Sonou University in Cotonou and received a BA degree in international relations and political science.[6] Aderibigbe's mother supported her musical ambitions and reportedly encouraged her to pursue a singing career.[7]

2018–2020: Career beginnings

Aderibigbe finished in second place on the Nigerian television talent show Maltina Dance All as a child."Dare To Dream" Review—Ayra Starr Documentary Connects The Past To The Future. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2025 In August 2018, Aderibigbe signed with Quove Models, a Lagos-based modeling agency.Sabi Girl & Celestial being: The complete biography of Ayra Starr. Pulse Nigeria. 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2026-04-19

In 2019, Aderibigbe started posting song covers by artists such as Andra Day and 2Face Idibia on social media.[7] The stage name "Ayra Starr" is of Arabic origin, meaning "somebody that is highly respected."[8] She also appeared in the music video for Eri Ife's song "Dear Future Wife."[9]

In December 2019, Aderibigbe uploaded an original song called "Damage" to her Instagram page. After this, Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy sent her a message expressing interest in her music and inviting her to meet.Vincent, OladoyinboHow I Got Signed By Don Jazzy. 13 February 2024Arya Starr: Nigerian teen music sensation. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021 Aderibigbe's first sessions at Mavin Studios were her introduction to professional recording. Throughout 2020, she recorded at Mavin Studios in Lagos with producers Louddaaa, Don Jazzy, and Dayogrey.Adekunle, MusaWhy I signed Ayra Starr to Mavin Records - Don Jazzy. The Guardian Nigeria News. 2025-09-28. Retrieved 2026-04-19

2021–2023: Ayra Starr and 19 & Dangerous

Her self-titled debut EP was released in January 2021 through Mavin Records.[10] The mixing and mastering of the EP was by Ikon, Louddaaa, and Johnny Drille. Shortly after its release, the EP became the number-one album on Nigeria iTunes and Apple Music. By March 2021, the song had racked up over 15 million streams across Spotify, YouTube, and Audiomack. The EP included the track "Away", which peaked at number four on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 and number 17 on US Billboard Top Triller Global. Its accompanying music video also debuted on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10.[11] OkayAfrica included the song in their list of The 9 Best Nigerian Songs of January 2021.[12] In early 2021, Crayon's EP Twelve A.M was released, including her as a featured artist on "In Sync."Rema, Ayra Starr, Bella Shmurda feature on Crayon's new EP, 'Twelve AM'. Pulse Nigeria. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021 She then performed for the UC Berkeley Nigerian Students Association's Olori Awards.Watch Ayra Starr's Captivating UC Berkeley Performance. NotJustOk. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021

In July 2021, Aderibigbe performed for the season finale of Nigerian Idol.Ice Prince, Ayra Starr, others perform at Nigerian Idol Grand Finale. The Punch. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021 On 6 August 2021, her debut studio album titled 19 & Dangerous was released. The album marked her first time recording alongside guest artists such as Fousheé and CKay.Ayra Starr Set To Release Visual For "Beggie Beggie" with Ckay. Retrieved 28 January 2022 It included two top forty hits on the TurnTable Top 50 and Starr ranked number two on Billboard's Next Big Sound.[3] Her highest chart position was with "Bloody Samaritan," which became Aderibigbe's first number-one single on the chart.Mike, StevenAyra Starr 19 & Dangerous Album. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021 She was concurrently featured on "in the light," a track on Johnny Drille's Before We Fall Asleep. Starr was nominated for the "Best Newcomer Award" at the 8th African Muzik Magazine Awards in October.African Muzik Magazine Awards 2021: All the winners. Music In Africa. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2026-04-19

In September 2022, Aderibigbe released the song "Rush" as part of the deluxe edition of 19 & Dangerous.Ayra Starr Releases "Rush" Her First Single Of The Year. The Guardian. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2024-05-01 The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.[1] "Rush" earned Aderibigbe her nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.[2]Ayra Starr's "Rush" To The Top: The Afrobeats Singer On Numerology, The Male Gaze & The Power Of Kelly Rowland. grammy.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01 On 10 November 2022, Aderibigbe was featured on "2 Sugar," a track from Wizkid's fifth studio album More Love, Less Ego. The song reached number 1 on Billboard's Hot Trending, and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.Rutherford, Kevin(2022-11-22)Wizkid Dominates With Top Four Spots on Hot Trending Songs Chart. Billboard. Retrieved 2023-08-15

In March 2023, she was credited on Creed III's soundtrack with "Ogogoro".Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag |- ! scope="row" | African Muzik Magazine Awards | 2021 | Best Newcomer | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style="text-align:center;" |Afrimma Nominees. AFRIMMA. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2021 |- ! rowspan="5" |Mobo Awards | rowspan="2" |2026 |Best International Act |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won |Ayra Starr Wins Best International Act At 2026 MOBO Awards. 2026-03-28. Retrieved 2026-04-19Adekunle, MusaFULL LIST: Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Niko Omilana win at 2026 MOBO Awards. The Guardian Nigeria News. 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-04-19 |- |Best African Music Act |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |Ayra Starr nominated in two categories at 2026 MOBO Awards. Music In Africa. 2026-01-16. Retrieved 2026-02-08 |- | 2021 | Best African Music Act | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style="text-align:center;" |Rema and Ayra Starr nominated for the 2021 MOBO Awards. Pulse Nigeria. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021 |- | rowspan="2" |2025 |Best African Music Act |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won | rowspan="2" style=text-align:center;" |Pilley, MaxHere are all the winners from the MOBO Awards 2025. NME. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-10-21 |- |Best International Act |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won |- ! scope="row" rowspan="3"| Net Honours | 2021 | "Away" | Most Played R&B Song | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style=text-align:center;" |[13] |- |rowspan="2"|2022 |rowspan="3"|Herself |Breakout Artist of the Year (Female) |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[14] |- |Most Searched Musician (Female) |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- ! scope="row" rowspan="9" | The Headies |rowspan="8"|2022 |Next Rated |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |rowspan="8" style="text-align:center;"|Hansen, Gabriel MyersHeadies 2022: All the winners. 2022-09-05. Retrieved 2023-07-04 |- | rowspan="2" | "Beggie Beggie" (feat. CKay) | Best R&B Single | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- | Best Collaboration | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- | "Toxic" | Best Vocal Performance (Female) | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- | rowspan="2" | "Bloody Samaritan" | Best Afrobeats Single of the Year | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- |Headies' Viewer's Choice | style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Win |- | rowspan="2" | 19 & Dangerous | Best Afrobeats Album | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- |Album of the Year | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- |2024 |"Last Heartbreak Song" (with Giveon) |Best R&B Single |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won |style="text-align:center;" |17th Headies Award Winners. The Headies. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025 |- ! scope="row" rowspan="8" | BET Awards | 2022 | rowspan="2" | Herself | Best New International Act | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style="text-align:center;" |Pheelz and Ayra Starr Make History With BET 2022 Award Nominations. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 2023-07-26 |- | 2023 | Best International Act | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style="text-align:center;" |Atkinson, Katie(2023-06-26)Here Are the 2023 BET Awards Winners: Full List. Billboard. Retrieved 2023-07-26 |- | rowspan="3" |2024 |"Commas" |BET Her Award |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |BET Awards 2024: See The Full Winners List. BET. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2025-10-21 |- | rowspan="5" |Herself |Best New Artist | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- |Best International Act | style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- | rowspan="3" |2025 |Best New Artist |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" |Atkinson, Katie2025 BET Awards Winners List. Billboard. 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-10-21 |- |Best Female R&B/Pop Artist |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- |Best International Act |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won |- ! scope="row" |The Future Awards Africa |2022 |rowspan="1" |Herself |Prize for Music |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |style="text-align:center;" |FULL LIST: Asake, Tobi Amusan, Osimhen nominated for TFAA 2023. TheCable. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023Winners of the 17th Edition of The Future Awards Africa. The Future Awards Africa. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025 |- ! rowspan="4" scope="row" |MTV Video Music Awards | rowspan="2" |2023 |"Rush" |Best Afrobeats |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |Grein, Paul(2023-08-08)Taylor Swift Is Top Nominee for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (Complete List). Billboard. Retrieved 2025-07-13 |- |"2 Sugar" (with Wizkid) |Best Afrobeats |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- |2024 |"Last Heartbreak Song" (feat. Giveon) |Best Afrobeats |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style="text-align: center;" |Willman, ChrisTaylor Swift Leads MTV VMAs Nominations With 10, as Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande and Eminem Also Get a Big Look. Variety. 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2025-07-13 |- |2025 |"Last Heartbreak Song" |Push Performance of the Year |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style="text-align: center;" |Green, WaldenMTV VMAs 2025 Winners: See the Full List Here. Pitchfork. 2025-09-07. Retrieved 2025-10-21 |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Grammy Awards |2024 |"Rush" | rowspan="2" |Best African Music Performance |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |style="text-align:center;" |[2] |- |2026 |"Gimme Dat" |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style="text-align: center;" | |- !scope="row" rowspan=2| 3Music Awards | rowspan="8" |2024 |"Sability" |African Song of the Year |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |3Music Awards 2024: All the winners. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2025-10-21 |- |rowspan=6|Herself |African Act of the Year |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- !scope="row" rowspan=3|MTV Europe Music Awards |Best New |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;" |Shumba, AnoTyla and Ayra Starr lead Africa with four 2024 MTV EMAs nods. 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-10-08 |- |Best Afrobeats |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- |Best Push |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |- !scope="row" |MTN Liberia Music Awards |International Artist of the Year |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won |style="text-align:center;" |Fofana, AmaduMTN Liberia Music Awards 2024: All the nominees. 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-10-28 |- ! scope="row"|TurnTable Music Awards |Outstanding Achievement in Live Performance |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won |style="text-align:center;" |The TurnTable 2024 Music Awards. TurnTable Charts. TurnTable. Retrieved 2 April 2025 |- !scope="row" |AEAUSA 2024 |"Hypé" (Aya Nakamura feat. Ayra Starr) |Best Music Video |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated | style="text-align: center;" |African Entertainment Awards USA: All the winners. Music In Africa. 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2026-04-19 |- ! scope="row" |South African Music Awards | rowspan="3" |2025 | The Year I Turned 21 |Rest of Africa |style="background: #E3FFE3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="yes table-yes2"|Won | style="text-align: center;" |Gaanakgomo, ConstanceBlack Motion dominates #SAMA31 nominations with four nods. News24. 2025-08-28. Retrieved 2025-10-21 |- !scope="row" rowspan="2" |Les Flammes | rowspan="2" |"Hypé" (Aya Nakamura feat. Ayra Starr) |Morceau de l'année (Song of the Year) |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated 

|Africa, The Beats ofThe Real Winner at Les Flammes? The Culture Itself. The Beats of Africa. 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2026-04-19

|- |Featuring européen et/ou international (European and/or International featuring) |style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center;" class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated |Africa, The Beats ofThe Real Winner at Les Flammes? The Culture Itself. The Beats of Africa. 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2026-04-19 |}

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Scoove, AfricaAyra Starr breaks new Record as "Rush" hits 100 Million views on YouTube. The Scoove Africa. February 28, 2021. Retrieved 2026-03-24
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List. www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-11-11
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Next Big Sound Chart. Billboard. Retrieved 21 August 2021
  4. ↑ Nigerian Singer Ayra Starr Is Making Her Mark on Music. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021
  5. ↑ Ayra Starr Is the 21-Year-Old Helming a New Era of Afrobeats. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2025
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Sharp and Swift Ascent of Ayra Starr. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ayra Starr: Nigerian teen leading her generation's sonic revolution. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021
  8. ↑ interview | ayra starr. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021
  9. ↑ On The Radar: Ayra Starr. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2025
  10. ↑ Asejemu, MojisolaAyra Starr Net Worth 2025, New Songs and Achievements. Np media. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2025
  11. ↑ Turntable Charts. Retrieved 6 April 2021
  12. ↑ The 9 Best Nigerian Songs of the Month (January). 27 January 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named net-honours-class-of-2021
  14. ↑ Hansen, Gabriel MyersNET Honours People's Choice Awards: All the winners. 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2022-07-04
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