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Ayra Starr to Headline Afro Nation Dominican Republic Festival Alongside Sexy Redd, DJ Maphorisa
Nigerian music sensation and Grammy-nominated artist, Ayra Starr, is set to headline the 2025 edition of the Afro Nation Festival in the Dominican Republic, further cementing her status as a global music powerhouse.
The Mavin Records star will be leading the star-studded lineup alongside American rap star Sexy Redd and South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa. The festival is scheduled to take place from November 7 to 9 in Punta Cana, drawing fans from around the world to celebrate African music and culture on Caribbean soil.
Ayra Starr will be joined by fellow Afrobeats hitmakers Shallipopi and Ruger, promising a weekend of electrifying performances. Fans are especially eager to experience her latest crowd-favourite, “Hot Body,” alongside other smash hits from her growing catalogue.
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This announcement adds to what has been an extraordinary year for the 22-year-old singer. In 2025 alone, Ayra has delivered powerful sets at major international music festivals, including the St Kitts Music Festival and the Canadian Jazz Festival.
She has also been touring as a supporting act on Coldplay’s globally acclaimed Music of the Spheres World Tour—an achievement that speaks volumes about her rising global influence.
Ayra Starr’s accolades this year speak for themselves. She clinched the Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards, making her only the second African female artist to win the award, following Tems’ groundbreaking victory in 2022. She also became a double winner at the MOBO Awards, reinforcing her reputation as one of Africa’s most successful global exports.
Back home, she continued her award streak by bagging Best R&B Single at the 17th Headies Awards for her collaboration with American singer Giveon on Last Heartbreak Song, a standout track from her sophomore album The Year I Turned 21.
In another remarkable career milestone, Ayra Starr recently became the first Nigerian female artist to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube—a feat that underscores her immense popularity and digital reach.
With her headline performance at Afro Nation DR on the horizon, Ayra Starr shows no signs of slowing down. As her artistry continues to break barriers, she remains one of the most compelling voices driving Afrobeats onto the global stage.