Spotify Crowns Ayra Starr as Biggest Female Afrobeats Artist of the Year

Global music streaming giant Spotify has declared Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr the biggest female Afrobeats artist of the past 12 months, cementing her status as one of the genre’s fastest-rising global stars.

The 22-year-old, who has been hailed by Spotify as “the pop star of Afrobeats,” topped the platform’s Top 5 Female Afrobeats Artists list. Grammy winner Tems followed in second place, while American-Cameroonian star Libianca secured third. Malian-French singer Aya Nakamura ranked fourth, with British-Nigerian Darkoo completing the top five.

In a surprising twist, South African hitmaker Tyla — who dominated awards stages over the past year — did not make the list.

Spotify also unveiled its Top 5 Afrobeats Artists in Latin America, where Nigerians completely dominated. Rema claimed the number one spot, Ayra Starr followed at second, CKay ranked third, while Burna Boy and Wizkid took fourth and fifth, respectively.

The rankings reinforce Afrobeats’ unstoppable global surge, with Nigerian artists continuing to lead the movement on multiple continents.