Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr shattered barriers at the 2025 MOBO Awards, becoming the first African woman to clinch Best African Music Act and Best International Act in a single night. This historic double victory crowns her meteoric rise and spotlights Africa’s booming influence on global music charts.
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr made history at the 2025 MOBO Awards, becoming the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act and the first African female artist to claim Best International Act. Her dual victory solidified her position as a global force in contemporary African music and marked a milestone for female representation in awards dominated by male artists.
Breaking Barriers in African Music
Starr’s Best African Music Act win ended a 16-year drought for female artists in the category, last claimed by a woman in 2009. She triumphed over a competitive shortlist featuring Nigerian stars like Asake, Tems, Rema, and South Africa’s Tyla. The MOBOs’ official X account praised her as a “global star” repping African music “at the highest level”.
Her victory in the Best International Act category shattered another glass ceiling. She became the first African woman to win the award historically dominated by global icons like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj. She also defeated 2024 Grammy winner Tyla and fellow Nigerian heavyweight Burna Boy in this category.
Emotional Acceptance Speech
A visibly moved Starr acknowledged her team, producers, and fans (Mobstars) during her acceptance speech:
“This is my first MOBO Award—make some noise! I’m actually shaking... Thank you to my brothers in the studio, Mavin Records, and my mummy”.
The wins cap a meteoric rise for the 22-year-old, whose 2021 breakout hit Bloody Samaritan first propelled her into the spotlight. Her fusion of Afropop and R&B has since garnered over 500 million streams globally.
Other Notable Winners
- Best Male Act: Central Cee (record-tying third win)
- Best Female Act: Darkoo
- Best Newcomer: Odeal
- Album of the Year: Bashy - Being Poor Is Expensive
MOBOs’ Cultural Impact
Founded in 1996 by Kanya King, the MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) have launched the careers of stars like Stormzy and Skepta while celebrating Black British and global talent across genres. The 2025 ceremony, hosted in Newcastle, continued this legacy amid King’s personal health challenges, as she vowed to return for the 30th anniversary in 2026.
Starr’s historic double win underscores Africa’s growing influence on global pop culture—a trend the MOBOs have championed since adding the Best African Act category in 2017. As Afrobeats' streams have surged 550% globally since 2020, her victory signals new opportunities for African artists in mainstream awards circuits.
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