Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has made history as the first African artiste to headline a National Football League (NFL) halftime show.
The Grammy-nominated singer performed on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London during the Week Five game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Starr led the halftime entertainment, bringing Afrobeats to the international sporting stage. Her performance combined soulful vocals, energetic delivery and a commanding stage presence.
The singer performed a medley of her popular songs, including ‘Heaven Baby’, ‘Santa’, ‘Rush’, ‘Hot Body’ and ‘Dangerous’. She also featured songs from her latest project, Starrgirl, giving fans a taste of her evolving sound.
The performance marked another milestone in Starr’s growing international career. It also highlighted the increasing presence of African music at major global events.
Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, Starr first gained widespread attention in 2021 with the release of her breakout single ‘Bloody Samaritan’. The song became a major turning point in her career and helped introduce her music to a wider audience.
Since then, she has established herself as one of Africa’s leading contemporary music exports. Her rise has earned her international recognition, award nominations and opportunities to perform on major stages around the world.
Starr released her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, in 2021. The project featured songs that helped define her early sound and strengthened her position in the Afrobeats scene.
She followed it with The Year I Turned 21 in 2024, showcasing her artistic growth and broader musical influences.
Her latest project, Starrgirl, represents another chapter in her career as she continues to expand her sound and reach new audiences.
By headlining the NFL halftime show in London, Starr has added another significant achievement to her growing list of milestones. Her performance also places an African female artiste at the centre of one of the world’s biggest sporting platforms.
The appearance further reflects the growing global reach of Afrobeats, as African artistes continue to secure opportunities across music, fashion and international entertainment.
For Starr, the NFL performance marks a significant step in a career that has grown rapidly since her breakthrough in 2021. It also reinforces her position as one of the Nigerian artistes helping take African music to audiences around the world.
