By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
Nigerian music star Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has been crowned the number one female Afrobeats artist of the past year by global streaming giant Spotify.
The announcement not only cements her status as one of Afrobeats’ leading voices but also underscores her growing influence on the global music stage.
Ayra Starr Tops Spotify’s Female Afrobeats Ranking
In its newly released list of the Top 5 Female Afrobeats Artists, Spotify named Ayra Starr as the frontrunner, placing Grammy Award-winning singer Tems in second place.
The rest of the list featured:
Libianca (American-Cameroonian breakout star) – 3rd
Aya Nakamura (Malian-French superstar) – 4th
Darkoo (British-Nigerian artist) – 5
thInterestingly, South African breakout sensation Tyla, who has recently dominated Afrobeats award ceremonies worldwide, was noticeably absent from Spotify’s ranking.
Nigerian Stars Dominate Latin America
Spotify also unveiled its Top 5 Afrobeats Artists in Latin America, once again showing Nigerian artists at the forefront of the global music wave. The lineup was led by:
Rema
Ayra Starr
CKay
Burna Boy
Wizkid
The platform described Afrobeats as a “cultural export reshaping the global music scene,” pointing to its surging popularity across Latin America.
Afrobeats on the Global Stage
Ayra Starr’s meteoric rise is another testament to the unstoppable global spread of Afrobeats. With chart-topping singles, international tours, and impressive streaming numbers, the “Sabi Girl” has firmly established herself as one of the new-generation leaders of the genre.
Alongside powerhouse acts like Tems, Rema, Burna Boy, and Wizkid, she is not only redefining Afrobeats but also positioning Nigeria as the epicenter of the movement.
