Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has made history as the first African artiste to headline a National Football League (NFL) halftime show.
The Grammy-nominated star performed on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London during the halftime break of the NFL fixture between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ayra Starr thrilled the audience with a performance that showcased her vocal ability and stage presence, delivering several of her hit songs, including ‘Heaven Baby,’ ‘Santa,’ ‘Rush,’ ‘Hot Body’ and ‘Dangerous’.
She also performed tracks from her latest album, ‘Starrgirl’, adding to a set that highlighted her growing international reach.
Ahead of the show, the 24-year-old singer described the opportunity as more than just another performance, saying it carried a message for artistes and the audiences they represent.
“It’s a message,” she said, emphasising that artistes must recognise the importance of platforms that give them access to wider audiences.
“At the end of the day, as artists, we speak for the culture and we speak for the people that listen to us,” she added. “And we have to represent any way that seems fit, that they need.”
Born Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr gained international recognition in 2021 following the release of her hit single ‘Bloody Samaritan’.
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Since then, she has established herself as a notable name in the global music industry, earning several awards and nominations.
Her discography includes her debut album, ‘19 & Dangerous’, released in 2021, and its follow-up, ‘The Year I Turned 21’, which came out in 2024.
Her latest NFL halftime appearance marks another milestone in her career, bringing African music to a major American sporting platform in London.