- Full Name: Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe
- Stage Name: Ayra Starr
- Birth Date: 14 June 2002
- Birthplace: Cotonou, Benin Republic
- Nationality: Nigerian (Kwara State origin)
- Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Model
- Genres: Afropop, R&B, Alté, Afro-Fusion
- Record Label: Mavin Records
- Notable Hit: “Rush” (Grammy-nominated)
- Net Worth (2025): Estimated $1 million+
1. Full Name and Stage Name
Ayra Starr was born Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe on 14 June 2002. She performs under the stage name Ayra Starr, and was affectionately known as “Oyin” (a shortened form of Oyinkansola) before adopting her stage name. She chose the name “Ayra” after researching its meaning and discovering that in Arabic it means someone “highly respected and open-minded,” which she felt resonated with her personality and goals. She’s also been called nicknames like “Celestial Being” and “Sabi Girl”.
2. Early Life and Background
Ayra Starr was born in Cotonou, Benin Republic and spent her early years both there and in Lagos, Nigeria. Her family hails from Kwara State in Nigeria. She was raised in a close-knit, music-loving family as one of five children, and began singing in a high school choir and writing songs with her brother from the age of ten. Frequent relocations due to her father’s business made it difficult for her to form lasting friendships. Her mother was notably supportive of her musical ambitions, encouraging her from a young age.
3. Education
Ayra Starr attended Les Cours Sonou University in Cotonou, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science. She reportedly entered university at a young age—around 14—and faced bullying from classmates because of her age and appearance. During this period, music became her refuge and creative outlet.
4. Career Beginnings
Ayra’s early career was rooted in modeling: in August 2018, she signed with Quove Model Management in Lagos and worked with brands such as Mazelle Studio, Complete Fashion Magazine, and Esperanza Woman. By 2019, she had begun posting cover songs and original material— including a track called “Damage,” later renamed “Toxic”—on social media.
Her original work caught the attention of Don Jazzy, founder of Mavin Records, who reached out after seeing her posts. She was signed in 2020 and, in January 2021, released her debut EP, Ayra Starr, under Mavin Records. The lead single “Away” became a hit, topping charts in Nigeria and attracting international attention.
5. Rise to Fame / Breakthrough Moment
Ayra’s debut studio album, 19 & Dangerous, dropped in August 2021 and featured standout tracks like “Bloody Samaritan”, which made her the first Nigerian female solo artist to top the TurnTable Top 50 chart.
Her global breakthrough arrived in 2022 with the release of the single “Rush”, which charted internationally—including #24 on the UK Singles Chart—and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance. In 2024, she released her sophomore album The Year I Turned 21, showcasing her growth as an artist and cementing her place as a global Afrobeats star.
6. Major Achievements and Awards
Ayra Starr has rapidly amassed recognition for her work. In 2021, she earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best African Music Act at prestigious awards such as the African Entertainment Awards USA, African Muzik Magazine Awards, and Mobo Awards.
That year she also won Breakout Artist of the Year (Female) at Net Honours. Her debut track “Bloody Samaritan” made history by becoming the first solo song by a female artist to reach number one on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 chart. In 2022, she won Breakout Artist of the Year at Net Honours and clinched International Artist of the Year at the MTN Liberia Music Awards. Her single “Rush” earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance in 2024, and she also secured Headies’ Viewer’s Choice award the same year.
In 2025, she became the first African woman to win Best International Act and Best African Music Act at the MOBO Awards. She has also scored nominations and wins at the BET Awards, MTV VMAs, MTV Europe Music Awards, and TurnTable Music Awards.
7. Style and Personality
Ayra Starr is celebrated for her audacious confidence and bold aesthetic. Her music blends Afropop, R&B, alté, trap, soul, and Neo-soul, often infused with introspection and empowerment. She describes herself as “literally a superstar,” embracing bold vocals and unapologetic lyrics.
Her fashion sense is equally striking—transitioning from tomboyish to refined, embracing femininity and striking style with pride. Her performances and visuals project a confident, trend-setting persona that resonates strongly with young audiences.
8. Personal Life
Ayra Starr keeps much of her personal life private. She lost her father during her teenage years—a profound experience that deeply influenced her music and is addressed in her songs. Raised in a musical and supportive family with roots in Kwara State, she came of age across Cotonou and Lagos.
Although young, she joined university early and now balances her creative pursuits with her academic background. She is single and prioritizes her music career over romantic entanglements.
9. Philanthropy and Social Impact
While specific philanthropic activities are not widely documented, Ayra’s impact lies in her role as a voice of empowerment for African youth—especially young women. Her music, themes of self-confidence, identity, and resilience, and her global visibility collectively inspire, uplift, and challenge norms. She represents creativity and self-expression in contemporary Afrobeats, helping carve a space for a new generation of artists.
10. Controversies and Public Criticism
There’s no prominent record of controversies or public criticism involving Ayra Starr. She has so far maintained a clean public image, focusing attention on her artistry, growth, and positive influence in the music industry.
11. Net Worth and Lifestyle
Estimates of Ayra Starr’s net worth vary, but most place it between $500,000 and $1 million, with some sources suggesting she has surpassed $1 million by 2025, thanks to streaming, music sales, live shows, and endorsement deals with brands like Maybelline, Darling, Pepsi, and Tecno.
She’s known for her luxurious lifestyle—owning high-end vehicles such as a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Mercedes GLE350—and commands significant performance fees, reportedly between $50,000 to $100,000 per appearance.
12. Recent Activities / Current Projects
Ayra Starr kicked off her Summer 2025 Tour with energetic festival sets in New Jersey and the Caribbean, added a standout appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and is currently on a special stadium tour leg with Coldplay. She released the single “Gimme Dat” in April 2025, a collaboration with Wizkid that has charted in several countries.
She also signed with powerhouse management Roc Nation, signaling a strategic push for broader global reach. Ayra is slated to perform at the 2025 Global Citizen Festival in New York in September and recently made her acting debut in the film Christmas in Lagos.
13. Influence and Legacy
Ayra Starr continues to shape the sound and perception of contemporary Afrobeats through her fearless creativity and genre-blending music. Her bold fashion, introspective lyrics, and unapologetic confidence have made her an influential figure, particularly for young African women.
Her achievements have opened doors in fashion, film, and global entertainment, ensuring she’s remembered as a trailblazer who expanded Afropop’s global footprint.
14. Social Media and Online Presence
With a significant following across platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Ayra shares stylish, carefully curated posts—focusing on visuals, performance moments, and fashion rather than daily routines. She stays engaged with her fans through periodic updates and content that emphasize creativity and authenticity over volume.
15. Quotes and Personal Statements (Optional but Adds Depth)
- “Ladies and gentlemen, I am Ayra Starr, and I am the future,” she declared during her acceptance speech at the Headies awards—capturing her bold self-assurance and vision for her impact.
- She has spoken about fashion being another form of storytelling for her, just like music, reflecting how deeply she connects her artistic expression across mediums.
16. Interesting Facts
- Ayra holds dual heritage—Beninese by birth and Nigerian by parentage.
- She entered university at around age 14 or 15, aiming to finish early and pursue her singing career full throttle.
- During her tours, one of her must-haves isn’t an accessory or food—it’s her brother, who travels with her as her creative partner and emotional support.
- She became the youngest African woman to surpass 100 million YouTube views on a single video.
- In addition to her musical ventures, she’s ventured into acting and is starring in a Nigerian romantic comedy released in late 2024.
17. Conclusion
From a determined teenager singing behind-the-scenes covers to an internationally recognized artist, Ayra Starr’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. She has consistently broken records and expectations with her genre-fluid sound, striking visuals, and unshakable confidence.
With recent moves into cinema, global tours, and high-profile festival stages, she’s not just shaping the trajectory of Afrobeats—she’s redefining what it means to be a global, multi-disciplinary African star.
