Nigerian Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr has made history as the first African female artiste to headline a National Football League International Games halftime show.
The singer, whose real name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, performed on Sunday during the NFL clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Ayra Starr opened her set with “Heaven Baby” before treating fans to performances of “Santa”, “Rush” and “Dangerous”. She ended the show with a medley of “Hot Body” and “Ms. Paper”.
The 23-year-old singer also celebrated the achievement in a post on her official X account, describing herself as the “first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show”.
Her performance was part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games, a series of regular-season fixtures staged outside the United States to expand the league’s global audience.
Ayra Starr began her music career in 2020 and gained widespread recognition following the release of her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, in 2021.
The project helped establish her as one of the leading voices in contemporary Afrobeats, with songs including “Bloody Samaritan”, “Rush” and “Commas” attracting audiences beyond Nigeria.
Her appearance at the London game marks another milestone in her growing international career, reflecting the increasing presence of Nigerian artistes on major global entertainment and sporting platforms.
The performance also underscores the expanding reach of Afrobeats, as African music continues to gain prominence at international festivals, concerts and high-profile sporting events.
(NAN)
