Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has achieved a monumental feat, becoming the first Nigerian female artist to surpass 1 billion total views on YouTube, marking a new high in her fast-rising career.
The Mavin Records star now joins an elite group of Nigerian artists who have crossed the billion-view mark on the platform, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, CKay, Omah Lay, Kizz Daniel, Tekno, P-Square, Flavour, and Fireboy DML.
Ayra Starr’s catalog of hits has continued to captivate global audiences, with her Grammy-nominated single “Rush” leading the charge. The music video for Rush has now amassed over 450 million views, making it the most viewed music video by a Nigerian female artist and one of the most watched Afrobeats videos on YouTube.
Milestones on Milestones! 🎖️
Congratulations to @ayrastarr on surpassing 1 Billion Career Views on YouTube! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/CV4RdDDFoN
— MAVIN (@MavinRecords) May 26, 2025
Released in September 2022, “Rush” catapulted Ayra Starr into global stardom. The track not only dominated charts across Africa but also made waves in the United Kingdom, where she made history as the first Nigerian female artist to debut a solo track on the UK Official Top 100 chart. The song recently earned her a UK platinum plaque, further solidifying its status as an Afrobeats anthem.
The year 2025 has already proven eventful for Ayra Starr. On April 25, she released her latest single, “Gimme Dat,” featuring global Afrobeats star Wizkid. The track, which samples Wyclef Jean’s classics “Diallo” and “911” (featuring Mary J. Blige), showcases Ayra’s sonic range and continued push into global music circles.
This new YouTube milestone not only underscores her growing influence but also sets a new benchmark for female representation in Afrobeats, reinforcing Ayra Starr’s place at the forefront of a new wave of global African pop stars.
As the 21-year-old continues to break records and defy expectations, Ayra Starr remains one of the most exciting voices shaping the future of African music.