Ayra Starr Biography

Basic Info

Full Name: Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe

Stage Name: Ayra Starr

Country: Nigeria

Birth Date

Date of Birth: June 14, 2002

Early Life and Background

Ayra Starr was born on June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin, and raised between Benin and Lagos, Nigeria. She is of Yoruba descent and grew up in a close-knit, music-loving family. Her upbringing was shaped by frequent relocations due to her father's business, which made it difficult for her to form lasting friendships during her early years.

From a young age, Starr was drawn to music, singing in her school choir and writing songs with her brother. Her mother played a crucial role in supporting her musical aspirations. At just 10 years old, she was already exploring her vocal talents, heavily inspired by artists like Nicki Minaj.

Starr attended Les Cours Sonou University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in international relations and political science. During her college years, she faced bullying due to her age and appearance but found solace in music — a passion that would eventually shape her career and identity.

Biography, Career, and more

Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, professionally known as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has quickly risen to become one of Africa’s most promising music stars. Born on June 14, 2002, Ayra Starr made her breakthrough in 2021 with the release of her self-titled debut extended play, which included the hit single “Away.” The song spent two weeks at number four on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 chart and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Triller Global chart, earning her early recognition in the music industry.

Her debut studio album, 19 & Dangerous, was released later in 2021 and received widespread critical acclaim. The project, rooted in Afropop and R&B, featured several successful tracks, most notably “Bloody Samaritan,” which made history by becoming the first solo song by a female artist to top the TurnTable Top 50 chart in Nigeria.

In 2022, Ayra Starr gained international fame with the global success of her song “Rush.” The single charted in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24, and earned her a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. That same year, she was ranked number three on Billboard's Next Big Sound list, further highlighting her growing influence in the global music scene.

Ayra Starr continued her meteoric rise with the release of her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, in 2024 — solidifying her position as one of the leading voices in contemporary African music.