Ayra Starr beats Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Tems, wins Music of Black Origin awards

Ayra Starr has etched her name into the books of history, becoming the first woman in 16 years to win the MOBO Award for Best African Music Act. 

The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in "music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music.

The prestigious award had long been dominated by male artists, making Ayra Starr’s victory a groundbreaking moment for women in Afrobeats.

In the Best African music act category, she beat the likes of Ruger, Rema, Tyla and Uncle waffles.

She also took home the Best International act beating the likes of Betonce, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj and Tems among others.

Overwhelmed with joy, Ayra Starr took to the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech, saying: “I’m actually shaking right now…”

She now joins Wizkid (2017, 2021) and Burna Boy (2020, 2022) as the only Nigerian artists to have won the MOBO Award for Best International Act.

Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who achieved mainstream international recognition in 2022, with the release of her song ‘Rush’. 

The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It earned also earned her a nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.

On the other hand, Vybz Kartel won the honorary MOBO impact award, which in recent years has been awarded to pop trio Sugababes and boxer Frank Bruno.