Ayra Starr has been selected as this month’s BET Amplified artist, a programme highlighting emerging music talents in partnership with Nissan, per ebony.com. The 21-year-old sensation has quickly become a prominent figure in the Afrobeats genre since her 2021 debut, amassing over 4 billion global streams.
Born in Benin and raised in Nigeria, Starr’s breakthrough came with her 2022 hit “Rush,” which garnered 1.2 billion streams and led to a collaboration with R&B star Kelly Rowland. Her achievements include a historic Grammy nomination and becoming the first female Afrobeats artist to perform on Glastonbury’s pyramid stage.
Starr’s second album, The Year I Turned 21, became Spotify’s most-streamed Afrobeats album in 2024, cementing her status as a rising global star. As a BET Amplified artist, she will gain increased exposure across BET’s platforms and be featured in the “Road to Stardom” documentary series.
The BET Amplified programme, launched in 2020, has previously showcased artists like Asake and Coco Jones. Starr’s selection is seen as another milestone in her rapidly ascending career, positioning her for even greater international success.
- Featured image: Ayra Starr/Leon Neal/Getty Images
