Ayra Starr Makes History as First Nigerian Female Artist to Hit 1 Billion YouTube Views
Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has made music history by becoming the first Nigerian female artist to hit 1 billion views on YouTube, a groundbreaking achievement that solidifies her place among Nigeria’s top music exports.
With this new feat, Ayra Starr joins a prestigious list of Nigerian artists who have surpassed the billion-view milestone on the platform. This group includes Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, CKay, Omah Lay, Kizz Daniel, Tekno, P-Square, Flavour, and Fireboy DML—but she stands out as the only woman in this lineup.
At the heart of her success is her viral single ‘Rush’, which has racked up more than 450 million views alone, making it the most-watched video by a Nigerian female artist. The hit song also earned her a platinum certification in the UK and marked her as the first Nigerian female solo artist to debut on the UK Official Top 100 chart.
Ayra’s momentum shows no signs of slowing in 2025. In April, she released a powerful collaboration with Wizkid titled ‘Gimme Dat’, which cleverly samples Wyclef Jean’s iconic tracks ‘Diallo’ and ‘911’ featuring Mary J. Blige. The song is already creating a buzz across streaming platforms and social media.
The singer, often hailed as the “Sabi Girl”, has also been collecting major awards this year. At the 2025 MOBO Awards, she won two prestigious trophies, further affirming her global appeal. She also bagged the Best R&B Single at the 17th Headies Awards for her collaboration with American R&B singer Giveon on ‘Last Heartbreak Song’.
Ayra Starr’s rise to the billion-view club not only marks a personal triumph but also sets a new benchmark for female artists in Nigeria’s music industry. Her talent, vision, and fearless creativity are pushing boundaries and reshaping what’s possible for women in Afrobeats.
This milestone isn’t just about numbers—it’s about representation, impact, and the future of African music on the global stage.