Ayra Starr is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has emerged as one of the defining international voices of Afropop, Afrobeats and R&B. Since making her professional debut in 2021, Ayra has developed a global following through her distinctive vocals, confident songwriting and energetic performances. Her music has surpassed 3 billion global streams, and tracks including Rush have helped introduce her sound to audiences far beyond Africa. With major awards, Grammy nominations and performances on some of the world’s biggest stages, Ayra is hired for festivals, concerts, corporate celebrations and exclusive international events.
Ayra began attracting attention after sharing original music and covers online before signing with Mavin Records. Her self-titled debut EP arrived in 2021, followed by her debut studio album '19 & Dangerous'. Songs including 'Away', 'Bloody Samaritan' and 'Rush' established her as an exciting new talent, with 'Rush' becoming an international breakthrough and receiving a remix featuring Kelly Rowland. Her growing profile has also led to collaborations with artists including Wizkid, Stormzy, Tiwa Savage and Leigh Anne. As her international audience expanded, Ayra supported major artists including Chris Brown and Coldplay and became the youngest African female artist to headline her own world tour.
Ayra has continued developing her catalogue with songs including 'Commas', 'Santa', 'Last Heartbreak Song' and 'Gimme Dat', alongside her acclaimed album 'The Year I Turned 21'. Her performances combine contemporary Afrobeats with Afropop and R&B, creating a versatile sound suited to major live events. She has performed at internationally recognised festivals including Glastonbury, where she became the first Afrobeats artist to perform on the Pyramid Stage. Her international reach is further demonstrated by more than 3 billion global streams and over 31 million monthly Spotify listeners.
Recognition has accompanied Ayra’s international success. 'Rush' earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance, before Gimme Dat with Wizkid secured another nomination in the same category. At the 2025 MOBO Awards, she became the first African woman to win Best International Act and the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act. She later secured another Best International Act honour at the 2026 MOBO Awards. With an internationally recognised catalogue, dynamic stage presence, major streaming success and crossover appeal, Ayra is hired to bring contemporary African music and global star power to high-profile events.
