23 Facts about Ayra Starr you probably didn’t know

Here are 23 interesting facts about Ayra Starr you probably didn’t know.
Afrobeats’ golden girl, Ayra Starr, turned 23 on June 14, 2025, and while fans worldwide celebrated her new age, many are still curious about the woman behind the voice.
Since breaking out with her self-titled EP under Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records in 2021, the Rush hitmaker has become a global sensation, with chart-topping singles, viral anthems, and a distinct Gen Z appeal.
In celebration of her 23rd birthday, here are 23 intriguing facts about Ayra Starr you probably didn’t know:
1. BET Award winner (June 2025)
In early June 2025, Ayra Starr made history by clinching the Best International Act award at the BET Awards. This accolade which was a major highlight of the evening, recognizes outstanding non‑American artists, and her win confirmed her status among the world's top global musicians. It marked a major milestone for Nigerian and African women in music, demonstrating her ability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with established global stars.
2. Double victory at the 2025 MOBO Awards
🌍 Celebrating African music at its finest! Big congrats to @ayrastarr , winner of Best African Music Act. A well-deserved recognition for an artist making waves across the continent and beyond! #MOBOAwards pic.twitter.com/dynMpf8syI
— MOBO Awards (@MOBOAwards) February 18, 2025
In February 2025, she had two major MOBO wins in Newcastle, Best African Music Act and Best International Act, the former being particularly notable because no female had won it in 16 years.
🌎 A superstar lighting up the global stage! Congratulations to @ayrastarr, winner of Best International Act #MOBOAwards pic.twitter.com/NxEE8vL1XT
— MOBO Awards (@MOBOAwards) February 18, 2025
This sweep defied expectations and cemented her reputation as a trailblazer, earned through both technical skill and cultural appeal. It also reflected growing recognition of female artists in Afrobeats on the world stage.
3. Gimme Dat collab with Wizkid
Her 2025 single Gimme Dat, featuring Wizkid, cleverly samples the classic Mary J. Blige & Wyclef Jean track 911. In Nigeria, the song peaked at No. 3, and it also climbed into the top 10 of the Billboard US Afrobeats chart. The collaboration showcased her ability to blend nostalgia with modern flair while solidifying her position as a key player in the genre’s new guard.
4. Spotify’s Nigerian impact campaign
Ayra Starr has made history as the first female to win Best African Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards, a feat unmatched by any woman in 16 years. Globally, she led Spotify’s Nigeria Global Impact List 2025 with six top 30 songs, including "Santa" at , showcasing her unique dominance as… pic.twitter.com/7ov6PuKYLK
— Grok (@grok) April 3, 2025
In early 2025, Ayra dropped tracks from her album The Year I Turned 21, landing six of them in Spotify’s “Nigeria Global Impact” Top 30. This Spotify metric measures music that’s resonating worldwide through Nigerian listeners. It proves she can pack a punch with more than one hit, inspiring an entire playlist of hits that audiences around the world are streaming hard.
5. Rush conquers the UK
🚨 Ayra Starr's "Rush" has now been certified platinum in the UK 👏🏽🔥
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) May 2, 2025
— It becomes her 1ST song to achieve this milestone in the region 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/ogXCRmRXqT
Rush, her seminal hit, peaked at No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart and gained significant traction across multiple European territories. In May, 2025, Rush became certified platinum in the UK. It became her first song to achieve this milestone in the region. The success reflects how her music and Afrobeats more broadly, is crossing into Western mainstream airwaves. It also confirms that her sound resonates with diverse audiences, not just Afrobeats fans.
6. Grammy nod for Rush (2023)
Ayra Starr's song, Rush is now being considered for a Grammy pic.twitter.com/mCWsQvRL1r
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) October 11, 2023
In 2023, Rush earned a Grammy nomination in the Best African Music Performance category. Although she didn’t win, the nomination alone boosted her international visibility and flagged her as one of Afrobeats’ most formidable young voices.
7. 100 Million YouTube views by age 18
Happy 23rd birthday, Ayra Starr🌟
— TXT (@txt_mag) June 14, 2025
⁃First Nigerian female artiste to surpass 400 million views on YouTube.
⁃First Nigerian female artiste to debut an album on the Billboard Albums 200 chart.
⁃First project by a Nigerian female artiste to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify.… pic.twitter.com/KOWPHIoyxi
By early 2021, at just 18 years old, Ayra became the youngest Nigerian female artist to reach 100 million views on YouTube, powered mainly by the viral success of Rush. Also, she became the first Nigerian female artiste to surpass 400 million views on YouTube. Her meteoric rise not only showcased her generation's power to go global via digital platforms but also marked her as a phenomenon in a single click.
8. A genre-blending trailblazer
🚨JUST IN:
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) July 18, 2021
Ayra Starr announces debut studio album “19 & Dangerous”, out AUGUST 6. 👼pic.twitter.com/Hg91XHY7mK
Her debut album, 19 & Dangerous (2021), was a masterclass in genre fluidity, melding Afropop, R&B, alté, trap, neo-soul, jazz, and EDM. The creative melding helped carve out her distinctive sound: a refreshing fusion that resists easy categorization but appeals to music lovers across styles.
9. Paris Fashion Week favorite
Ayra Starr walks the runway at the Dipetsa London Fashion week Eventpic.twitter.com/D6Z3P1K0mY
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) February 22, 2025
At the Balmain FW24 show in Paris, Ayra stunned in a latex cut-out look, an appearance that instantly went viral in fashion circles. Her ability to seamlessly step into couture-runway spaces reinforced her dual status as both a music star and a fearless fashion icon.
10. Educated & multilingual
Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe on June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin Republic, she holds a degree in International Relations from Les Cours Sonou University. Growing up between Nigeria and Benin educated her in English, Yoruba, and French, further connecting her with diverse West African audiences.
11. From model to chart-star
Before her rise in music, Ayra was signed to Quove Models in Lagos, featuring in brand campaigns and magazine spreads. Her early modeling built her comfort in the spotlight, and that experience carries through her confident stage presence and visuals.
12. Her name means 'woke'
She defines Ayra rooted in Arabic as meaning "woke" or "eye‑opening," reflecting her mission to uplift and empower listeners. It’s a name that perfectly aligns with her music's themes of growth, self-discovery, and authenticity.
13. Faith underpins her art
Despite her bold style, Ayra describes herself as deeply spiritual and references her Christian faith in interviews. This balance between personal belief and artistic expression deepens her appeal, conveying sincerity beyond the glamor.
14. Writes her own music
Hits like Away, Rush, and Bloody Samaritan are penned by Ayra herself, evidence of her creative control and authenticity as an artist. Her writing reinforces that she’s not just a performer but a storyteller.
15. TikTok-fueled viral sensation
Thanks to TikTok, Rush exploded into global consciousness. TikTok users turned her song’s catchy hook into a viral dance moment. The buzz propelled her music past 100 million YouTube views and earned her pop undeniable recognition.
16. Mostly vegetarian lifestyle
Ayra has shared her preference for a plant-based diet, reflecting her commitment to health, eco-conscious living, and self-care. It’s a reminder of her off-stage poise behind the energy of her performances.
17. Proud anime fan
She’s an anime nerd at heart, frequently praising Naruto and Attack on Titan in interviews. The unexpected detail illustrates her pop culture depth and reveals interests beyond typical celebrity talk.
18. Billboard 200 alumna
JUST IN 🚨
— WeTalkSound (WTS) (@wetalksound) June 10, 2024
Ayra Starr makes HISTORY as she becomes the first Nigerian female artist to debut an album on the Billboard Albums 200 chart. 🇺🇸
“The Year I Turned 21” lands at #195. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bzgXvarURl
Her sophomore album The Year I Turned 21 not only debuted at No. 1 in Nigeria but also earned a spot on the Billboard 200, making her the first Nigerian woman to land in that ranking. It’s another testament to her rising global influence.
19. A fashion statement maker
Ayra Starr for Coperni RTW Spring 2025 in Disneyland for Paris Fashion Week. ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/gaf7LYE07k
— 𝑨𝒚𝒓𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 (@ayracharts) October 2, 2024
Of all the facts about Ayra Starr, this is the most obvious. From couture to streetwear, Ayra consistently delivers bold, boundary-pushing looks. Whether styled in vintage glam or edgy streetwear, she’s fast becoming one of Africa’s most influential style leaders.
20. Champion for LGBTQ+ rights
Grammy nominated icon Ayra Starr has donated $1.5 million to the LGBTQ+ community.
— Starr ✭ (@AyrasStarr) June 13, 2025
“I need more sabi gays abeg” said the star in a recent interview pic.twitter.com/qFh6Ao6fwc
Ayra’s expressed visible support for LGBTQ+ communities, advocating love, inclusion, and self-expression through her public platforms. In culturally conservative spaces, her stance fuels positive social change.
21. Manifestation advocate
She often credits “manifesting greatness” for guiding her trajectory, believing in affirmations and positive thinking. Her mindset reflects Gen Z’s alignment with spiritual wellness and personal growth as pathways to success.
22. Featured on ‘Creed III’ soundtrack
A reminder that Ayra Starr featured in these two big movie soundtracks in 2023 🧏🏽♂️
— NOTJUSTOK (@NOTJUSTOK) May 4, 2025
Creed III & Spiderman: Across the Spider verse
Superstar 👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/MZA8oMWakq
In 2023, she appeared on the Creed III soundtrack, placing her voice alongside major international artists. Her inclusion speaks to her crossover appeal and growing rapport within film and music industries.
23. Headlined a world tour in 2024
It’s my first headline tourrrrr !!! I’ve been touring around the world , opening for other artists , opening stages at festivals , Now it’s an Ayra Starr show ! 👼🏾⭐️⭐️🐆 ! Pre sale tickets are live tomorrow , CODE : (MOBSTARRS)! Tickets go live on fridayyy! Link in my sexy… pic.twitter.com/D02lLn4aw3
— Celestial being (@ayrastarr) July 12, 2023
Her 21: The World Tour spanned North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, taking her message to fans across continents. The tour showcased her stage energy, global reach, and status as a next-gen Afrobeats heavyweight.
Lastly, of all the facts about Ayra Starr, it is evident that at just 23, she isn’t just observing music culture, she’s shaping it. From awards and viral hits to fashion and activism, her story embodies what it means to build a modern musical empire rooted in purpose and global outlook.
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