The organizers of Afro Nation Punta Cana 2025 have announced that Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr will no longer perform at the festival’s fifth anniversary in the Dominican Republic due to an internal scheduling issue.
In an official statement released by Afro Nation, the team wrote: “We’ve recently been informed by Ayra Starr’s team that, due to an internal scheduling issue, she will unfortunately no longer be performing at Afro Nation Punta Cana. We were looking forward to Ayra’s performance and are truly disappointed, especially after her previous cancellation at ANP25. She has shared her sincere apologies to fans and the Afro Nation family for not being able to join us this time.”
The festival scheduled for November 7–9, 2025, in Punta Cana, was set to feature Ayra Starr alongside Sexyy Red, DJ Maphorisa, Ruger, Shallipopi, Felo Le Tee, and other global Afrobeats acts. Afro Nation confirmed that a replacement headliner will be announced soon, assuring fans that the lineup remains “world-class.”
While fans expressed disappointment over the news, Ayra Starr’s musical momentum remains unstoppable. Her latest single, “Who’s Dat Girl” featuring Rema, debuted as the #1 new entry on the Spotify Weekly Top Songs Nigeria chart, earning over 2.1 million streams in its first week.
The track, a sultry fusion of Afropop and R&B swagger, captures the duo’s electric chemistry, both musically and culturally. Ayra Starr’s confident vocals glide over the hypnotic beat, while Rema brings his signature charisma, creating what many critics call “a generational Afrobeats anthem.”
Fans and critics alike have praised the song’s artistry, calling it a defining moment for both stars, symbolizing the next evolution of Nigerian pop on the global stage.
Though she won’t be lighting up the Afro Nation stage this November, Ayra Starr’s glow continues to burn bright.
