Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe in 2002, Ayra Starr is a Beninese-Nigerian singer and songwriter who has rapidly ascended to become a global face of Afropop. Raised in a music-loving family between Cotonou and Lagos, she began her journey in the arts as a teenage model before being discovered on Instagram by Mavin Records mogul Don Jazzy. Her 2021 self-titled debut EP and the subsequent hit “Away” immediately established her as a formidable “Sabi Girl,” blending soulful R&B with infectious Afrobeats.
Starr’s career skyrocketed with the 2022 international smash “Rush,” which earned her a Grammy nomination and made her the youngest Nigerian female artist to achieve such a feat. Her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21 (2024), further solidified her dominance, making history as the first album by a Nigerian female artist to debut on the Billboard 200 and reaching over a billion streams by late 2025. Her music often explores themes of empowerment, love, and resilience, drawing from her personal growth and academic background in International Relations and Political Science.
By 2026, Ayra Starr has transitioned from a breakout star to a seasoned global icon. Following a strategic management partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2025, she has expanded her reach through international tours—including supporting Coldplay—and high-profile collaborations with artists like Wizkid and Tyla. With a trophy cabinet including MOBO and BET awards, and a new studio album slated for release in 2026, she remains at the forefront of the modern African music revolution.
