When Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, who is widely celebrated as Ayra Starr, takes the stage, the world can’t help but listen. With her enchanting, “silky yet sturdy” voice, bold fashion choices, and an unapologetic spirit, the 23-year-old Nigerian sensation has emerged as one of Afropop’s most radiant stars. Bursting onto the scene with her debut EP, *Ayra Starr*, in 2021, she quickly ignited the Nigerian music charts with her electrifying hit “Bloody Samaritan,” captivating audiences with her unique sound and charisma. Now, with two stellar studio albums, a prestigious Grammy nomination, and an impressive lineup of international collaborations under her belt, Ayra Starr is redefining the very essence of what it means to be a young African artist commanding the global stage. Her journey is a testament to her relentless ambition and the vibrant energy she brings to the music industry.

And now, she’s proving she has no plans of slowing down; her new single “Hot Body” has officially set summer 2025 on fire.

Born on June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin, to Nigerian parents from Kwara State, Ayra Starr grew up in a home where music was much more than background noise; it was life. Singing in church choirs at 10 and writing songs with her brother, Dami, Ayra was nurtured by a family that recognized her talent early. “I would listen to Nicki Minaj on my way to school and feel like I was the second Nicki Minaj,” she once said, reflecting on how music carried her through difficult school years where she was bullied for her age and looks.

Her mother’s support would prove pivotal. By her teens, Ayra was experimenting with modeling, but music kept calling. In 2019, when she uploaded the soulful original track Damage on Instagram, fate intervened. Don Jazzy, the legendary producer and founder of Mavin Records, took notice, and a star was born.

Ayra Starr’s self-titled debut EP dropped in January 2021 and instantly resonated. Her breakout single Away peaked at number four on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 and made it onto the Billboard Top Triller Global chart, cementing her as a voice of her generation.

Later that year, she doubled down with her first studio album, 19 & Dangerous. It was a bold declaration of intent, mixing Afropop, R&B, and neo-soul. The record spawned the smash hit Bloody Samaritan, which became the first solo song by a Nigerian female artist to top the TurnTable Top 50.

By 2022, Ayra had gone fully global. Her deluxe edition track Rush turned into an international anthem, peaking at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart and propelling her to her first Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance. She was no longer just a Nigerian rising star; she was Afropop’s global princess.

In May 2024, Ayra Starr released her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21. It wasn’t just a project; it was a coming-of-age manifesto. With contributions from Rvssian, Louddaaa, London, and Johnny Drille, and collaborations with Seyi Vibez, Coco Jones, Giveon, Anitta, and Rauw Alejandro, the album pushed Afropop into new, global dimensions.

Tracks like Woman Commando and Santa showcased her versatility, weaving Afrobeats with reggaeton, amapiano, and pop. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Nigerian Albums Chart and made history as the first album by a Nigerian female artist to enter the Billboard 200. Critics praised its emotional depth and innovation, while fans embraced it as the soundtrack of their own transitions into adulthood.

If Rush was Ayra Starr’s passport to the global stage, her latest single “Hot Body” is the coronation. Released in mid-2025, the song is a fiery fusion of Afropop, amapiano, and dancehall, built for dance floors everywhere. Its hook is addictive, its rhythm irresistible, and its message empowering: body positivity, self-love, and owning your glow.

Hot Body is already topping Afrobeats charts across Africa, trending on TikTok with millions of dance challenge videos, and breaking into the UK Top 20. Hot Body has become Ayra’s fastest-rising single yet. For many, it’s proof that she’s not just riding the Afropop wave, she’s shaping it.

Beyond the music, Ayra Starr has cemented herself as a fashion icon. From Y2K-inspired crop tops and micro-skirts to glittering haute couture moments on international red carpets, she embodies the Gen Z fusion of boldness and play. She stunned at the 2024 Grammys in a custom Janice Munenge crystal bralette, and her debut at Paris Fashion Week confirmed her as both a trendsetter and muse.

Between world tours, collaborations with Coldplay and Chris Brown, and a rumored project with Rihanna, Ayra Starr is busier than ever. But even with her global rise, she remains deeply connected to her Nigerian roots and to her fans, who call themselves “Starrs.”With Hot Body lighting up the charts and her name echoing in every corner of the globe, Ayra Starr is proving she’s not just a star, she’s a constellation, burning brighter with every era.