Ayra Starr has become one of the defining voices of modern Afrobeats. The Beninese-born Nigerian singer-songwriter went from posting covers on Instagram to signing with Mavin Records, collecting chart records and Grammy nominations along the way.
Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe on 14 June 2002 in Cotonou, Benin, she was spotted by Don Jazzy after her covers and her first original song began gaining attention online. Her latest viral moment is Heaven Baby with ZAYN — the official music video arrived on October 5, 2026, and the song has been reported at No. 1 on Shazam Global Viral with 43.2 million first-week global streams.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ultima Studios Nigeria, CC BY 3.0 — Ayra Starr during a radio interview at Ultima Studios in Lagos, 2024.
Early Life and Discovery
Ayra Starr was born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe on 14 June 2002 in Cotonou, Benin. The Beninese-born Nigerian singer-songwriter started out by posting song covers and her first original song on Instagram, where her voice caught the attention of Don Jazzy. She went on to sign with Mavin Records, becoming one of the label's flagship acts.
Career and Hit Songs
Her breakthrough arrived with "Away", the lead single from her debut EP, released in January 2021. She followed it with "Bloody Samaritan", the first song by a solo female artist to reach No. 1 on Nigeria's Top 50. In 2022 she released "Rush", which reached No. 24 in the UK, and on 10 February 2023 she dropped the single "Sability". She records for Mavin and Republic and is managed by Roc Nation.
Albums
Ayra Starr released her debut album 19 & Dangerous in 2021, followed by her second album The Year I Turned 21 in 2024. Her third album, Starrgirl, was released on 14 August 2026 via Mavin and Republic.
Also on LatestLyrics: our post on FOLA's '9' album.
Grammy Nominations
Ayra Starr has earned two Grammy nominations, both for Best African Music Performance: at the 66th Grammys in 2024 for "Rush", and at the 68th Grammys in 2026 for "Gimme Dat" with Wizkid.
Watch the Official Video
Watch the official music video for "Heaven Baby" by Ayra Starr and ZAYN below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ayra Starr?
Ayra Starr was born on 14 June 2002 in Cotonou, Benin. She turned 24 in June 2026.
What is Ayra Starr's real name?
Her full name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe.
What are Ayra Starr's biggest songs?
Her biggest songs include "Away", "Bloody Samaritan", "Rush" and "Sability", along with her 2026 collaboration "Heaven Baby" with ZAYN.
Is Starrgirl her third album?
Yes. Starrgirl, released on 14 August 2026 through Mavin and Republic, is her third studio album, following 19 & Dangerous (2021) and The Year I Turned 21 (2024).
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