Ayra Starr

Biography

Ayra Starr, born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe on June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin, is a Beninese-Nigerian singer and songwriter who has become one of Africa's most prominent afrobeats artists. Raised between Cotonou and Lagos, Nigeria, she grew up in a musically inclined family—her mother was a former singer and her brother Dami is a guitarist and producer. She was raised multilingual, speaking Yoruba, French, English, and Nigerian Pidgin. At age ten, she joined her school choir and began writing songs with her brother, while also pursuing modeling at age 16 with Quove Models. She earned a BA in international relations and political science from Les Cours Sonou University in Cotonou before fully committing to her music career.

Ayra Starr's breakthrough came through social media when she posted original songs and covers on Instagram, which caught the attention of Don Jazzy, the renowned CEO of Mavin Records, after she uploaded her original song "Damage" in December 2019. Her self-titled debut EP released on January 22, 2021, quickly topped Nigeria's iTunes and Apple Music charts. Her debut studio album "19 & Dangerous" (2021) featured collaborations with CKay and included the hit single "Bloody Samaritan." The single "Rush" became her breakthrough international hit, charting globally and becoming the most-streamed solo song by a Nigerian female artist on Spotify, earning her first Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance.

By 2024-2025, Ayra Starr had solidified her position as a global afrobeats ambassador. Her second album "The Year I Turned 21" (2024) explored themes of self-discovery, love, grief, and empowerment. In February 2025, she made history at the MOBO Awards, becoming the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act and also securing Best International Act. In mid-2025, she signed an international management deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation while remaining with Mavin Records, further cementing her status on the global stage.

Fun Facts

• Ayra Starr was raised multilingual, fluent in Yoruba, French, English, and Nigerian Pidgin, reflecting her upbringing between Benin and Nigeria.
• She initially pursued modeling at age 16 with Quove Models before fully committing to music, walking for brands like Mazelle Studio and Complete Fashion Magazine.
• Her breakthrough single 'Rush' became the most-streamed solo song by a Nigerian female artist on Spotify and earned her first Grammy nomination.
• In February 2025, she became the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act at the MOBO Awards, also securing Best International Act in the same year.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Don Jazzy - Record executive, producer, and CEO of Mavin Records who discovered Ayra Starr through her Instagram posts and signed her to the label (Debut EP (2021), 19 & Dangerous (2021), The Year I Turned 21 (2024)) [2019-present]

Key Collaborators

• CKay - Featured collaborator on her debut studio album (19 & Dangerous (2021))

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #afrobeats, #alternative-r&b, #alté