Ayra Starr has etched her name in history as the first woman in 16 years to win the Best African Music Act award at the 2025 MOBO Awards. The Nigerian superstar also claimed the Best International Music Act award at the prestigious ceremony held in Newcastle.
Starr triumphed over fellow Nigerian artists Asake and Tems, as well as South Africa’s Tyla, and an impressive list of global stars including Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Latto.
With this win, Ayra Starr joins the ranks of Nigerian legends Wizkid (2017, 2021) and Burna Boy (2020, 2022) as one of the few Nigerian artists to secure the coveted Best International Act award at the MOBOs.
The event, hosted by Indiyah Polack and Eddie Kadi, celebrated the best in Black music and culture, highlighting the immense influence of African music globally.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Ayra Starr expressed her gratitude, saying, “This is my first MOBO. I’m actually shaking right now. Thank you so much to everyone who supported me, my team, my label, MAVINS, and my family.”
The official MOBO X account shared the excitement with the post: “Global star, unstoppable force! 🌍✨ @ayrastarr took home Best African Music Act at the #MOBOAwards – repping African music at the highest level! 🔥🏆”
Other Notable Winners
Other big winners of the night included Darkoo, who won the Best Female Act award, and Bashy and Odeal for their contributions to music. Darkoo’s win was celebrated with a post that read: “From bangers to big wins! 🔥🏆 @Darkoo takes home the Best Female Act award at the #MOBOAwards – a well-deserved victory! 🙌”
The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) continue to shine a light on the global impact of Black music, honoring excellence across genres such as hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music. Founded in 1996 by Kanya King, the awards have become a significant platform for recognizing Black artists worldwide.
Ayra Starr’s historic win marks another milestone in the rise of African music on the global stage.
