Nigerian singer Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has been named the number one female Afrobeats artist in the past year, according to global streaming platform Spotify.
The announcement cements her position as one of the genre’s leading voices on the global stage.
Spotify ranks top Afrobeats voices
Spotify described the “Rush” hitmaker as “the pop star of Afrobeats,” noting her growing influence across Africa and beyond.
She led the platform’s newly released ranking of the top five female Afrobeats artists, with Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems taking second place.
American-Cameroonian breakout star Libianca claimed the third spot, while Malian-French artist Aya Nakamura and British-Nigerian act Darkoo completed the top five.
Notably absent from the chart was South Africa’s Tyla, despite her dominance at recent Afrobeats award ceremonies.
Nigerian dominance in Latin America
In addition to its female-focused list, Spotify also unveiled the Top 5 Afrobeats Artists in Latin America, where Nigerians once again dominated.
Rema topped the list, Ayra Starr followed closely in second, CKay ranked third, while Burna Boy and Wizkid came in fourth and fifth respectively.
The platform noted the genre’s growing popularity in Latin America, describing Afrobeats as a “cultural export reshaping the global music scene.”
A global breakthrough for Afrobeats
Ayra Starr’s rise reflects the expanding reach of Afrobeats, a genre that has shifted from being regionally celebrated to globally mainstream.
Her chart success, streaming numbers, and international tours underscore the new wave of Nigerian artists driving the sound across borders.
With streaming platforms amplifying their music, Afrobeats stars like Ayra Starr, Tems, Rema and Burna Boy continue to push the boundaries of African music on the global stage, further positioning Nigeria as a hub for the genre’s innovation and growth.
