Ayra Starr (Oyinkansola Aderibigbe) is Mavin's Sabi Girl and one of Africa's biggest young stars. Here is her full story: Cotonou childhood, Don Jazzy's discovery, "Rush", Glastonbury, Grammy nominations, Roc Nation and her estimated net worth.
Quick facts
| Real name | Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 June 2002, Cotonou, Benin Republic |
| Roots | Kwara State, Nigeria |
| Education | BA International Relations and Political Science, Les Cours Sonou University |
| Label | Mavin Records (management with Roc Nation since 2025) |
| Albums | 19 & Dangerous (2021), The Year I Turned 21 (2024); Starr Girl announced 2026 |
| Biggest song | "Rush" |
| Estimated net worth | $500,000 – $3 million (estimates vary) |
Who is Ayra Starr?
Ayra Starr is a Nigerian singer and songwriter signed to Mavin Records. Her mix of Afropop and R&B, sung in English, Yoruba, French and Pidgin, made her the most-streamed female artist in Nigeria several years running.
Early life and education
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe was born on 14 June 2002 in Cotonou, Benin Republic, to Nigerian parents from Kwara State, and grew up between Cotonou and Lagos. She is the second of five children and made music as a child with her brother Damilola, who is also a musician.
She studied international relations and political science at Les Cours Sonou University in Cotonou.
Discovery and career
After working as a model and posting song covers, she uploaded an original song, "Damage", in December 2019. Don Jazzy reached out, and she joined Mavin. Her self-titled EP came out in January 2021, followed by the album 19 & Dangerous that August, with the No. 1 hit "Bloody Samaritan".
"Rush" (2022) went platinum in the UK, Canada and New Zealand and diamond in France, and earned her a Grammy nomination. Her second album, The Year I Turned 21 (2024), made her the first Nigerian woman to enter the Billboard 200.
In 2024 she became the first African woman to perform on Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage and collaborated with Coldplay. In 2025 she signed a management deal with Roc Nation, and in 2026 she announced her third album, Starr Girl.
