Award-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter, Ayra Starr, has revealed an ambitious blueprint for her career, one that includes topping the Billboard Hot 100, winning multiple Grammy Awards, and becoming the first African artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
In a recent interview with Canadian entertainment platform eTalk, the 23-year-old Afrobeats star outlined her 10-year and 20-year plans, underscoring a clear shift from local stardom to global domination. “I definitely want a top Hot 100 Billboard song. That’s a must. I have to have that. I want Grammys upon Grammys.” Ayra said during the interview.
“I want a number one record in the world… Ten years from now, I want to do my own Super Bowl,”
These aspirations, bold as they are, reflect the rising global confidence of African artists, especially in the Afrobeats genre which continues to gain momentum across continents.
Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr signed with Mavin Records in 2020 and quickly rose to prominence with hits like Away, Bloody Samaritan, and Rush. The latter earned her a historic nomination at the 66th Grammy Awards in the newly introduced “Best African Music Performance” category, making her the youngest Nigerian female artist to be nominated for a Grammy.
She has since performed at major international festivals and has become a global ambassador for Afrobeats’ new wave of female dominance. Now, she says, her sights are set even higher.
“I’m going to tour the world. I feel like I’ve done that, but I want to be able to tour Asia,” she added.
Perhaps the most audacious item on her list is the Super Bowl halftime show, an event long considered a crowning moment for global pop icons like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Shakira.
Though no African artist has ever headlined the show, Ayra believes the feat is possible within the next decade.
Equally ambitious is her plan to build a household brand name outside of music. With a personal style that blends Gen Z edge with Afrocentric flair, she aims to launch her own line in fashion, makeup, skincare, or beauty.
“Twenty years from now, I want to have my own brand—even before then—but I want it to be a household name. I just want to be able to do something fun and enjoy it,” she said.
Ayra Starr’s announcement is more than just a personal goal-setting session, it reflects the shifting dynamics of African pop culture and entertainment.
Her generation of artists no longer views international acclaim as an aspiration, it is an expectation. With platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify flattening the global music landscape, artists from Lagos to Nairobi are now going head-to-head with their peers in Los Angeles and London. And Ayra Starr is no exception.
Backed by a strong team, a consistent discography, and a growing international fanbase, the singer is positioning herself not just as a product of Afrobeats—but as a global brand.
For Ayra Starr, who was once uploading covers to Instagram and now commands global stages, the journey is already a success story. But if her dreams come true, the road ahead may see her become one of the defining pop voices of her generation.
“To be honest, just taking over. I’m already doing that, but I want to do it on a much grander scale.”
