Ayra Starr becomes first African female to hit 5m Spotify followers

Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has etched her name into the annals of African music history by becoming the first African female artist to surpass five million followers on Spotify.

The milestone, confirmed on July 2, 2025, marks a significant achievement for the 23-year-old singer, whose meteoric rise continues to captivate global audiences.

Signed to Mavin Records, Ayra Starr—born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe—rose to prominence in 2021 with her debut album 19 & Dangerous. Her unique blend of Afropop, R&B, and soulful lyricism has earned her a loyal fanbase and widespread acclaim.

Ayra Starr currently boasts 2.7 billion total streams across all credits on Spotify. Her most streamed track is the viral hit “Santa,” with over 707 million streams. Her breakout solo single “Rush” has garnered more than 474 million streams, solidifying her status as a global hitmaker.

Despite trailing Grammy-winning artist Tems in total streams—Tems leads with 3.8 billion—Ayra Starr’s follower count places her ahead of all other African female artists in terms of Spotify fan engagement.

Ayra Starr’s achievement reflects the growing international influence of Nigerian music and the expanding reach of African artists on global platforms. Her recent collaborations with stars like Wizkid, Chris Brown, and Stormzy further underscore her versatility and appeal across genres.