- Spotify named Ayra Starr the top female Afrobeats artist of the past year.
- She ranked ahead of Tems (2nd), Libianca (3rd), Aya Nakamura (4th), and Darkoo (5th).
- Tyla was notably missing from the chart despite recent success.
- In Spotify’s Top 5 Afrobeats Artists in Latin America, Nigerians dominated: Rema (1st), Ayra Starr (2nd), CKay (3rd), Burna Boy (4th), Wizkid (5th).
- Spotify described Afrobeats as a global cultural export reshaping international music.
- Ayra Starr’s success reflects Afrobeats’ rise from regional genre to global mainstream force.
Ayra Starr has officially claimed the crown as the top female Afrobeats artist of the past year, according to a global ranking released by Spotify. The Nigerian singer, born Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, has been hailed by the streaming giant as “the pop star of Afrobeats,” a title that reinforces her status as one of the genre’s most influential voices worldwide.
Spotify’s newly unveiled list of the top five female Afrobeats acts placed Ayra Starr ahead of Grammy winner Tems, who came in second. Rising star Libianca secured third place, while Aya Nakamura of Mali and France followed in fourth, and British-Nigerian artist Darkoo rounded out the chart at number five.
One noticeable omission was South Africa’s Tyla, whose recent award show wins and hit singles had positioned her as one of Afrobeats’ breakout names. Her absence sparked discussion among fans and industry watchers.
Beyond the female-focused list, Spotify also highlighted Afrobeats’ growing footprint in Latin America, unveiling a separate ranking of the top five artists in that region. Nigerians dominated once again: Rema led the list, Ayra Starr followed in second, CKay took third, with Burna Boy and Wizkid completing the line-up.
Ayra Starr’s recognition by Spotify marks yet another milestone in the global spread of Afrobeats. Her hit singles, record-breaking streams, and successful international tours reflect a new era in which Nigerian talent is shaping global pop culture. Alongside peers like Tems, Rema, and Burna Boy, she is helping to cement Nigeria’s role as the heartbeat of Afrobeats’ innovation and expansion across continents.
