Ayra Starr is a Beninese-Nigerian singer who became one of Afrobeats’ defining global voices while still a teenager. Signed by Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records after posting cover songs on Instagram, she scored a worldwide hit with ‘Rush’, earned a Grammy nomination, and helped carry the sound of Lagos to pop audiences on every continent.
| Full Name | Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe |
| Born | 14 June 2002, Cotonou, Benin |
| Age | 24 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | Beninese-Nigerian |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter |
| Known For | Rush, Bloody Samaritan, Hot Body, Commas |
| Record Label | Mavin Records |
| Net Worth (est.) | Around $2–5 million (estimates vary) |
Early Life: Cotonou and Lagos
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe was born in Cotonou, Benin, to Nigerian parents and grew up largely in Lagos, Nigeria, in a musical household — her mother was once a singer, and her younger brother, Milar, is also a musician. She attended university in Benin, earning a degree in international relations and political science, and worked briefly as a model before music took over. Posting cover versions online, she was spotted by Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy, who signed her in 2020.
19 & Dangerous and Bloody Samaritan
Her self-titled debut EP arrived in January 2021, and that August she released her first album, 19 & Dangerous, at just nineteen. Its single ‘Bloody Samaritan’ became a Nigerian anthem and the first solo song by a female Nigerian artist to top the country’s TurnTable chart. The album announced a singer equally at home over Afrobeats, R&B and amapiano rhythms, with a pen of unusual sharpness for her age.
Rush: The Global Hit
The deluxe edition of 19 & Dangerous, released in 2022, added ‘Rush’ — and ‘Rush’ changed everything. The song became a global streaming phenomenon, charting across Europe and reaching the UK top 25, and its video made Starr the youngest African female artist to pass 100 million views on a single YouTube video. In 2024 ‘Rush’ was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, placing her in the first class of nominees in the category’s history.
The Year I Turned 21 and Hot Body
Starr’s second album, The Year I Turned 21 (2024), featured Asake, Seyi Vibez and Coco Jones and debuted to strong international reviews. She has since toured the world, become a fixture at Paris Fashion Week, and in 2025 scored another viral hit with ‘Hot Body’. Collaborations with Wizkid, Rema, Tiwa Savage and David Guetta have underlined her position as Afrobeats’ leading female export of her generation.
What sets Starr apart in a crowded Afrobeats field is control: she writes or co-writes her own material, drawing on diary-like detail, and has cited Beyoncé and Rihanna as blueprints for turning a regional sound into a global pop career without sanding off its edges. Her tours for The Year I Turned 21 took her across North America, Europe and Australia, and her stagecraft — full choreography delivered while singing live — has drawn the same comparisons her idols once did.
Starr’s singles between albums have kept her momentum constant: ‘Commas’ (2024) became another pan-African hit, and her run of features — from Nigerian peers to global pop acts — shows a singer carefully building an international catalogue rather than chasing one market. She has also become one of Afrobeats’ most visible fashion figures, fronting campaigns and closing the gap between Lagos street style and Paris runways, a visibility she has said she wants young African girls to see as normal.
Ayra Starr Net Worth
Ayra Starr’s net worth is estimated at somewhere between $2 million and $5 million in published reports, built from streaming royalties on billions of plays, international touring, festival fees and fashion and beauty partnerships. Afrobeats’ biggest stars’ earnings are rarely disclosed, so all figures are estimates based on public information and should be treated as approximate.
Personal Life
Starr is close to her family and often credits her mother, a former singer, for encouraging her career. She splits her time between Lagos and Los Angeles, is known for her Y2K-inspired fashion and outspoken confidence, and has used interviews to push back against the scrutiny placed on young female artists. She keeps her relationships out of the public eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ayra Starr’s real name?
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe. She was born on 14 June 2002 in Cotonou, Benin, and raised mainly in Lagos, Nigeria.
How old is Ayra Starr?
She is 24 years old as of 2026.
Was Ayra Starr nominated for a Grammy?
Yes — ‘Rush’ was nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
What is Ayra Starr’s net worth?
Published estimates range from about $2 million to $5 million, from music, touring and brand deals — all unofficial.
Related Biographies
Doechii, Hanumankind and Ella Langley — more in our Musicians collection.
Sources
Net worth and salary figures are estimates based on publicly available sources and may change over time.
