Lisa Mugo
Nigerian megastar, Ayra Starr, has officially become the first African female artist to surpass 500 million streams on Spotify thanks to her hit songs ‘Rush’ and ‘Santa.’
Her break out single, ‘Rush’ was released in 2022, and to date continues to make waves all over radios, YouTube and streaming platforms. ‘Santa,’ her collaboration with Rvssian and Puerto Rican artist Rauw Alejandro has garnered over 760 million streams, cementing her status as a global music icon.
The 23-year-old’s rise to stardom began in 2019 when she was only a teenager, after she signed to Nigerian music label, Mavin Records which is founded by singer, Don Jazzy. Her unique sound and talent quickly drew attention, which made her one of Africa’s most promising female artists, in a male dominated industry.
‘Rush’ earned the Afropop singer her first Grammy nomination in the best African music performance category. This quickly garnered her a lot of international recognition including Jay-z’s record label, Roc Nation which manages her music career.
Ayra Starr has released two albums under Mavin Records: ‘19 & Dangerous’- Released on January 28, 2021, her debut album introduced the world to her raw talent and genre-blending Afropop and R&B.
‘The Year I Turned 21’- Her sophomore album, released on May 31, 2024, debuted at #1 in Nigeria and #195 on the Billboard 200, selling 8,000 units in its first week. This historic charting made her the first Nigerian female artist to chart on the Billboard 200.
Her sophomore album has also surpassed 1 billion streams, becoming the most streamed album by an African female on the platform. The album explores themes of adulthood, love, self-discovery, and the challenges of fame, reflecting a more mature and introspective side of Ayra Starr compared to her debut.
Her story has inspired many young artists, particularly women, to go out and pursue their dreams fearlessly. From a young teenager signing her first record deal to becoming a global icon with streaming milestones, Ayra embodies talent, resilience and she continues to put Africa on the map.
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