Nigerian singer and songwriter Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known as Ayra Starr has made history as she surpasses South African singer Tyla to become an African artist with the most Spotify listeners.
On June 4, 2024, Ayra Starr topped Tyla to become the African artist with the most monthly listeners on Spotify in a landmark feat for the Nigerian
As of this time, Ayra Starr has garnered 31,406,881 monthly listeners on Spotify while Tyla has 31,223,494.
Ayra Starr’s latest feat sees her follow the footsteps of Ckay and Rema who previously held the record for the African artist with the most Spotify listeners. At the peak of his global hit single ‘Love Nwantiti’ in 2021, CKay reached 30 million monthly listeners, an African record at the time.
Similarly, in 2023, at the global peak of his record-breaking song ‘Calm Down’, Rema reached 34 million monthly listeners to become the African artist with the most Spotify monthly listeners.
Spotify monthly listeners are heavily determined by the success of new releases. Ayra Starr’s latest feat can be credited to the recent release of her second album ‘The Year I Turned 21’. The 15-track album that features guest appearances from Seyi Vibez, Asake, Giveon, Coco Jones, Aniita, and Milar has garnered critical acclaim.
The album has set a new record for the most opening day Spotify streams for an album by a Nigerian female artist which is a testament to her status as one of Africa’s biggest stars.
