Ayra Starr Makes History: First African Female Artist to Surpass 5 Million Spotify Followers
Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has officially made history, becoming the first African female artist to surpass five million followers on Spotify. This groundbreaking achievement, confirmed by Spotify data earlier this week, underscores her explosive growth on the global music scene and the undeniable surge of Afrobeats worldwide.
This milestone is a powerful testament to Ayra Starr's rapidly expanding international audience and incredibly devoted fanbase. While she's now the queen of followers, it's worth noting that fellow Nigerian artist Tems still holds the lead in total cumulative streams among African female artists, boasting around 3.8 billion compared to Ayra Starr's impressive 2.7 billion.
The Rise of a Global Star
Since her 2021 debut with Mavin Records, Ayra Starr, whose full name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, has swiftly risen to become one of Nigeria's most influential music exports. Her self-titled EP and debut album, "19 & Dangerous," which featured the chart-topping "Bloody Samaritan," laid the groundwork for her meteoric ascent.
Key factors fueling her success include:
Mega-Hits: Smash singles like "Rush" (over 474 million streams) and the festive "Santa" (her most streamed song at over 707 million streams) have been instrumental in attracting and retaining her massive following.
Album Dominance: Her sophomore album, "The Year I Turned 21," released on May 31, 2024, has also achieved phenomenal success. It's the first Nigerian female-led project to surpass 1 billion Spotify streams and has sold an astounding 2.2 million units worldwide, making it the 12th best-selling female album of 2024 and the only female Nigerian album to cross the 2 million global unit mark. The album features collaborations with major artists like Asake, Giveon, and Coco Jones.
Widespread Acclaim: Ayra Starr's talent hasn't gone unnoticed. In February 2025, Spotify recognized her on its prestigious Global Impact List, with "Santa" ranking among the top 30 Nigerian songs globally. She also recently snagged "Best International Act" at the 2025 BET Awards and became the first Nigerian female singer to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube.
Star Collaborations: Her recent single, “Gimme Dat,” featuring Wizkid, released in April 2025, has also quickly garnered significant streams.
Ayra Starr's trailblazing achievement not only solidifies her dominance in the music industry but also powerfully highlights the increasing global popularity of Afrobeats and the undeniable rise of female artists from the African continent.
