Global Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has been officially listed as a signee under Roc Nation, the entertainment juggernaut founded by Jay-Z, placing her alongside global icons like Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Megan Thee Stallion, DJ Khaled, Christina Aguilera, A$AP Rocky, and Fat Joe.
The announcement further cements Ayra Starr’s meteoric rise from a breakout West African artist to a global cultural force. Her inclusion in the Roc Nation family marks a historic moment—not only for Nigerian music but for Afrobeats on the world stage.
Since her 2021 debut under Mavin Records, Ayra Starr has become one of the most streamed and celebrated African artists of her generation. Her debut album “19 & Dangerous” introduced a new voice—bold, raw, stylish—and launched anthems like Bloody Samaritan and Fashion Killer. But it was the global success of Rush that solidified her global star power, racking up over 800 million streams and landing her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance—the first and youngest Nigerian female artist ever to receive such recognition.
She’s also received multiple BET, MTV VMA, Billboard Music Awards, and Soul Train nominations, while landing high-profile collaborations with Wizkid, Stormzy, Tiwa Savage, Leigh-Anne, and Kelly Rowland, who joined her on the “Rush” remix.
💼 Inside Roc Nation
Founded in 2008 by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Roc Nation is more than just a record label—it’s a full-service entertainment empire. The company represents artists, athletes, and entertainers across music, sports, film, fashion, and social impact. Roc Nation has been instrumental in shaping careers, developing talent, and pushing the boundaries of what modern artists can achieve globally.
Their artist-first approach and global infrastructure now offer Ayra Starr a platform to deepen her footprint across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. She joins a legendary lineup that has reshaped culture across genres and generations.
🌍 Ayra Starr’s Global Wave
In 2024 alone, Ayra Starr landed three BET Awards nominations (Best New Artist, Best International Act, and BET Her for Commas), dropped her Amazon Music documentary “Dare to Dream”, and became the first Afrobeats artist to be named Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist.
With over 3 billion global streams, multiple fashion covers including Teen Vogue and FAULT Magazine, and a sonic blend of Afrobeats, alté, and soul, Ayra Starr isn’t just riding the wave—she’s leading it.
The Verdict
With Roc Nation’s global machine behind her and a fanbase that stretches from Lagos to London to Los Angeles, Ayra Starr is now poised to be Nigeria’s next global pop queen.
Nigeria to the world.
