Entertainment (Commonwealth Union) _ Ayra Starr has made history as the first African artist to earn a Latin Diamond Certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) at just 23 years old. Proving herself to be a significant force in the global music scene, Starr’s international hit “Santa,” featuring Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, surpassed 35 million streams, making her only the second African artist after Rema to receive an RIAA award.
“Santa” has become a sensation on streaming platforms and is widely recognized. The song combines both Afrobeats and reggaeton, featuring lyrics in English as well as Spanish. It has climbed to the top of the Spanish charts, getting to the number 2 position in Colombia, Ecuador, and Central America, while simultaneously receiving multiple platinum certifications in Spain and Mexico, driving Ayra Starr’s international fame.
This accomplishment follows closely after another important event in Starr’s career. It was recently verified that she has entered into a new management agreement with Roc Nation, an entertainment firm established by Jay-Z. The agreement positions Ayra Starr among a limited number of African artists who are breaking into the international music scene and making their way into the American market.
Ayra Starr, also known as Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe from Benin Republic, experienced a swift ascent to stardom following the launch of her first single, “Away” in 2021 with Mavin Records. She rapidly established herself in the Nigerian music industry with her first studio album, “19 & Dangerous,” bringing attention to her talent for seamlessly blending Afropop and R&B.
Starr’s album received mass acclaim and made room for several more hit singles like “Bloody Samaritan,” which was the first solo song by a Nigerian female artist to become number one on the TurnTable Top 50 chart.
Ayra Starr caused a sensation with her chartbuster song “Rush” in 2022. The single was at the top in several countries, namely Switzerland, Ireland, and the UK. It also reached the number 24 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, which led to the singer receiving a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Her new album, “The Year I Turned 21”, came out in 2024. IIt was her attempt at a more refined style that fuses sounds from around the world while still being rooted in the West African musical tradition.
Ayra Starr’s ascent is part of a broader movement where African music is receiving unparalleled global recognition. Artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems have established collaborations with prominent U.S. labels, including Atlantic, RCA, and Columbia. These collaborations facilitate the development of a new perspective where African voices are no longer considered marginal in the international music dialogue.
Digital platforms have played a significant role in driving this success, with services such as Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok emerging as influential resources for discovery and engagement. Algorithms have progressively woven African music into global playlists, providing young artists such as Starr significant visibility beyond their local markets.
