📌 Quick facts: Ayra Starr is the stage name of Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, a Nigerian singer born on 14 June 2002 in Cotonou, Benin Republic, which makes her 24. She signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records after he heard a song she posted online in 2019, and released her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, in 2021. Her 2022 hit “Rush” passed 800 million global streams and earned her a Grammy nomination; “Gimme Dat” with Wizkid brought a second in 2026. Her third album, Starrgirl, came out on 14 August 2026.
In five years, Ayra Starr has gone from posting covers on Instagram to opening for Coldplay in stadiums, playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage and being nominated twice for the Grammy for Best African Music Performance. She is one of the most streamed African women in music, and her name is searched daily by fans asking the same questions: how old is she, where is she from, and how did she get here?
This biography sets out what is on the record, from her family and childhood to her albums, awards and acting debut.
Ayra Starr Profile
| Real name | Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe |
| Stage name | Ayra Starr |
| Date of birth | 14 June 2002 |
| Age (November 2026) | 24 |
| Place of birth | Cotonou, Benin Republic |
| Nationality and heritage | Nigerian, of Yoruba descent; parents from Kwara State |
| Languages | English, Yoruba and French |
| Record labels | Mavin Records; Republic Records (for The Year I Turned 21) |
| Albums | 19 & Dangerous (2021), The Year I Turned 21 (2024), Starrgirl (2026) |
| Biggest hit | “Rush” (2022), over 800 million global streams |
| Grammy nominations | Two: “Rush” (66th Grammys) and “Gimme Dat” with Wizkid (68th Grammys) |
Early Life and Family
Ayra Starr was born in Cotonou, the commercial capital of Benin Republic, to Nigerian parents whose roots are in Kwara State. She grew up between Cotonou and Lagos, which is why she speaks French as well as English and Yoruba, and why French phrases appear in some of her songs.
She is one of five children. Music ran in the house: she has said her mother sang when she was younger and encouraged her, while her father wanted her to focus on school. Her brother Dami, a guitarist and songwriter, played music with her when they were children.
She did not drop out to chase music. She completed a degree in international relations and political science in Cotonou while she was already modelling and recording covers.
How Don Jazzy Found Her
Before music, Ayra Starr modelled, and she shared short videos of herself singing covers on Instagram. In December 2019 she posted an original song. Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records, the label behind Tiwa Savage’s and Rema’s early hits, reached out to meet her. She spent 2020 recording at Mavin’s studio in Lagos and was introduced to the public in January 2021.
Music Career and Albums
| Year | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 2021 | Ayra Starr (EP) | Debut project on Mavin, with “Away” and “Damage” |
| August 2021 | 19 & Dangerous | Debut album with “Bloody Samaritan”; about 500 million streams by 2025 |
| September 2022 | “Rush” | Breakout global single; over 800 million streams; first Grammy nomination |
| May 2024 | The Year I Turned 21 | With “Commas”; the biggest opening day on Spotify for a Nigerian female artist’s album at the time |
| 2025 | “Gimme Dat” with Wizkid | Second Grammy nomination |
| 14 August 2026 | Starrgirl | 16 tracks with Wizkid, Rema, ZAYN, Theodora and Danny Ocean |
19 & Dangerous and “Bloody Samaritan”
Her debut album arrived in August 2021, when she was 19, which gave it its title. “Bloody Samaritan”, a defiant song about refusing to be pushed around, became one of the biggest Nigerian songs of that year and topped Nigeria’s charts, and the album built a fan base among young listeners across West Africa and Europe.
“Rush” goes global
Released in September 2022, “Rush” turned Ayra Starr from a Nigerian star into an international one. Its chorus about blocking out negativity spread through TikTok, a remix with Kelly Rowland followed, and the song earned her a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards in February 2024. Her label says she was the first and youngest Nigerian woman to be nominated in that category. By April 2025, “Rush” had passed 800 million global streams.
The Year I Turned 21
Her second album, released in May 2024 through Mavin and Republic Records, included “Last Heartbreak Song” with Giveon and the single “Commas”. According to her label, it recorded the biggest opening day on Spotify for a Nigerian female artist’s album and one of the five biggest for any Nigerian album.
Starrgirl (2026)
Her third album, Starrgirl, came out on 14 August 2026 with 16 tracks. Read our track-by-track review of Starrgirl and our explainer on “Heaven Baby” with ZAYN.
Grammy Nominations and Other Recognition
The Recording Academy lists two nominations for Ayra Starr, both for Best African Music Performance:
- 66th Grammy Awards (2024): “Rush”
- 68th Grammy Awards (2026): “Gimme Dat” with Wizkid
She has not won a Grammy yet. Her label’s 2025 biography also lists nominations at the BET Awards (Best International Act in 2023, and Best New Artist, Best International Act and the BET Her award for “Commas” in 2024), MTV Video Music Award nominations for Best Afrobeats, a Soul Train Award nomination, a place on the BBC Sound of 2024 list, and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist title, the first time an Afrobeats artist received it.
Touring: Coldplay, Glastonbury and Her Own World Tour
In 2024 Ayra Starr sold out her first world tour and joined Coldplay as a supporting act on the Music of the Spheres World Tour, playing to stadium crowds. She made her Glastonbury debut on the Pyramid Stage, the festival’s main stage, and in 2025 headlined Summer Jam at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. She has also worked with Stormzy, David Guetta, Tiwa Savage, Aya Nakamura and Leigh-Anne.
Her song “Santa”, with Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, made her the first Nigerian female artist to receive an RIAA Latin Diamond certification, according to her label.
Acting
Ayra Starr is part of the cast of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s fantasy novel Children of Blood and Bone, announced in 2025. She also appeared in the Amazon documentary Dare to Dream.
Ayra Starr’s Net Worth
There is no verified public figure for Ayra Starr’s net worth. Neither she nor Mavin has published one, and the numbers that circulate online are estimates with no stated basis. What is on the record is where her income comes from: more than 3 billion global streams across her catalogue by 2025, international touring including stadium dates with Coldplay, brand partnerships, and film work. Anyone quoting an exact naira or dollar figure is guessing.
Is Ayra Starr Married?
No. Ayra Starr is not married, and she has not publicly confirmed a relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ayra Starr?
Ayra Starr was born on 14 June 2002, so she is 24 in November 2026 and turns 25 in June 2027.
What is Ayra Starr’s real name?
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe.
Is Ayra Starr Nigerian or Beninese?
She is Nigerian. She was born and partly raised in Cotonou, Benin Republic, to Nigerian parents from Kwara State, which is why she also speaks French.
Which record label is Ayra Starr signed to?
Mavin Records, founded by Don Jazzy. Her second album was released in partnership with Republic Records.
Has Ayra Starr won a Grammy?
Not yet. She has two nominations for Best African Music Performance, for “Rush” and “Gimme Dat”.
What is Ayra Starr’s latest album?
Starrgirl, released on 14 August 2026.
Sources
- Recording Academy – Ayra Starr artist page, nominations at the 66th and 68th Grammy Awards, grammy.com
- Universal Music / Republic Records – press release on “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, with artist biography, 25 April 2025
- Mavin Records – artist releases and album announcements, 2021–2026
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · NaijaSabi Entertainment Desk.
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