At the 2025 MOBO Awards, Nigerian music star Ayra Starr made history by being the first African woman to win the Best International Act award. As the first Nigerian artist to win two major awards at the event, she also won the Best African Music Act award.
The MOBO Awards, which honor Black music and culture globally, are held in Newcastle, UK. The fact that Ayra Starr defeated international celebrities like Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, and Megan Thee Stallion in the Best International Act category made her win especially noteworthy. She also won the Best African Music Act award, surpassing greats like Rema, Asake, Tems, and Tyla of South Africa.
Known for her lively energy and distinctive Afropop sound, the “Rush” hitmaker thanked her fans and the MOBO Awards for the honor. She was obviously moved when she took the trophy, saying, “This is not just my win, it’s a win for African women in music.”
The breakthrough of Ayra Starr ushers a new era for African women musicians on the international scene. Her accomplishments follow in the footsteps of Burna Boy and Wizkid, two Nigerian music legends who have won at the MOBOs before.
With her historic victory, Ayra Starr is reaffirming her status as a major musical force on a global scale. Fans anxiously await the Afropop queen’s next move as she keeps shattering stereotypes.
Ayra Starr is currently the world’s biggest Nigerian winner at the 2025 MOBO Awards, and she is shining brightly.
