Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr has been named this month’s BET Amplified artist, a partnership with Nissan that spotlights the next big stars in music. With her infectious sound and global appeal, Starr’s rise in the Afrobeats scene makes her a perfect choice for the platform. Since her debut in 2021, Starr has emerged as a notable figure in the Afrobeats genre, quickly gaining traction with her distinctive sound and accumulating over 4 billion global streams across platforms.
Born in Cotonou, Benin, and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Ayra Starr has steadily built her reputation in the music industry. Her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, released in 2021, laid the foundation for her success. However, it was her 2022 hit single, “Rush,” that propelled her to greater prominence. The song amassed over 1.2 billion streams globally and led to a remix collaboration with R&B icon Kelly Rowland. In addition, Starr’s career received a significant boost when she became the youngest Nigerian female artist to be nominated for a GRAMMY Award, in the Best African Music Performance category.
Her success extends beyond streaming numbers and awards. In 2024, Starr made history as the first female Afrobeats artist to perform on Glastonbury’s iconic pyramid stage, a milestone for both the artist and the genre. Her second album, The Year I Turned 21, has continued her momentum, becoming the most-streamed Afrobeats album on Spotify in 2024 and reflecting her continued growth as an artist.
With her selection as a BET Amplified artist, Ayra Starr will now receive expanded visibility across BET’s various platforms, including BET Her, BET Jams, and BET Soul, as well as the network’s digital and social media channels. The partnership with Nissan includes a feature on Road to Stardom, a docu-style interview series that offers an in-depth look at the artist’s journey and creative process.
Previous BET Amplified artists have included acts such as Asake, Coco Jones, and Armani White, among others. Ayra Starr’s inclusion in the initiative is seen as another step in her rapidly rising career, aligning her with a broader international audience as she continues to expand her influence in the global music industry. The BET Amplified program, launched in 2020, has positioned itself as a platform to support emerging talent.
