Grammy-nominated Afrobeat superstar Ayra Starr has made history as the first Nigerian female artiste to surpass one billion total views on YouTube.
The Mavin Records star announced the milestone through her fan page on Instagram on Monday, celebrating a landmark achievement largely driven by her global hit single “Rush,” which has racked up over 458 million views alone. The song’s massive reach underscores her rising global influence and widespread appeal.
With this feat, Ayra Starr joins the elite league of Nigerian artistes—including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, and Omah Lay—who have crossed the billion-view threshold on YouTube. Others in this exclusive club include Kizz Daniel, Tekno, P-Square, Flavour, and Fireboy DML.
Since her debut in 2021, the 22-year-old singer, fondly known as the “Sabi Girl,” has consistently garnered both local and international accolades. She currently ranks among the most followed African artistes on Spotify, boasting over 4.8 million followers.
“Rush,” the track that catapulted her into global limelight, has not only earned over 450 million views on YouTube but also secured her first Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
The song’s success has brought in multiple certifications, including:
- Platinum Certification in the United Kingdom (over 600,000 units sold)
- Diamond Certification in France
- Platinum Status in Canada and New Zealand
- 3× Platinum in Nigeria
“Rush,” released in September 2022, quickly went viral and charted in the top ten across several countries, cementing Ayra Starr’s status as one of the most dynamic and sought-after African music stars today.