Ayra Starr

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter recognized for her contributions to contemporary Afrobeats and R&B. Starr blends Afro-pop rhythms with R&B vocals, establishing a distinct presence in both local and international music scenes. She began her career in fashion at age 16 with Quove Model Management before transitioning to music. After sharing song covers on Instagram, she released her first original track, which led to her discovery by record executive Don Jazzy and her subsequent signing to Mavin Records. Her stage name, Ayra Starr, reflects her artistic vision and aspirations.

Starr gained widespread attention with her debut EP and the single "Away," which achieved significant chart success on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 and the US Billboard Top Triller Global chart. This momentum continued with her debut studio album, "19 & Dangerous," featuring the lead single "Bloody Samaritan," which became the first solo number-one hit by a female artist on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50. Her global reach expanded with the release of "Rush," a track that accumulated hundreds of millions of streams and featured a remix with Kelly Rowland. The song charted internationally and earned Starr a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the Grammy Awards.

Starr's career includes collaborations with artists such as Wizkid, Stormzy, Tiwa Savage, and Leigh-Anne. She has been featured in the Amazon documentary Dare to Dream and was named Amazon Music's Breakthrough Artist. At the 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. Starr has maintained her association with Mavin Records while expanding her global management partnerships.

Her second studio album, "The Year I Turned 21," released through Mavin Records, includes guest appearances from Asake, Anitta, Coco Jones, Giveon, Seyi Vibez, Rvssian, and Rauw Alejandro, and debuted at number one in Nigeria. She earned a second Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance for "Gimme Dat" featuring Wizkid. Starr's third studio album, "Starrgirl," features collaborations with artists such as Rema and explores themes of personal and artistic growth. With a catalog that spans continents and a voice resonating with a global audience, Starr continues to shape the evolution of Afrobeats and R&B music.