Ayra Starr has made history as the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards.
The Nigerian star also took home the Best International Music Act award at the ceremony held in Newcastle.
Ayra Starr clinched the award, by beating co-Nigerians Asake and Tems and also South Africa’s Tyla.
She also beat stars like Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Latto.
Ayra Starr (2025) joins Wizkid (2017, 2021) and Burna Boy (2020, 2022) as the only Nigerian artists to have won the MOBO Award for Best International Act.
The event, hosted by Indiyah Polack and Eddie Kadi, celebrated the best of Black music and culture.
A post on the official MOBO X account read: “Global star, unstoppable force! 🌍✨ @ayrastarr took home Best African Music Act at the #MOBOAwards – repping African music at the highest level! 🔥🏆”
🌍 Celebrating African music at its finest! Big congrats to @ayrastarr , winner of Best African Music Act. A well-deserved recognition for an artist making waves across the continent and beyond! #MOBOAwards pic.twitter.com/dynMpf8syI
— MOBO Awards (@MOBOAwards) February 18, 2025
Best African music act
Asake (Nigeria)
WINNER: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Bnxn & Ruger (Nigeria)
King Promise (Ghana)
Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
Rema (Nigeria)
Shallipopi (Nigeria)
Tems (Nigeria)
Tyla (South Africa)
Uncle Waffles (South Africa)
Ayra Starr’s Speech
In her acceptance speech, the visibly emotional singer said: “Okay, this is my first MOBO. And this is the first time I’m winning a MOBO Award—make some noise! I am actually shaking right now. I am actually nervous.
“Thank you so much to everybody who supported me. Thank you to my team—my amazing MOB-STARS.
“My amazing brothers who make music with me—the producers in the studio—my studio partners in crime; my label—MAVINS record, Embryo, my mummy…
“Thank you so much. Thank you, MOBOs.”
Other Big Winners
According to PUNCH Online, other notable winners at the 2025 MOBO Awards included Bashy, Darkoo, and Odeal.
Darkoo also secured the Best Female Act award.
Another celebratory post from the MOBO X account read: “From bangers to big wins! 🔥🏆 @Darkoo takes home the Best Female Act award at the #MOBOAwards – a well-deserved victory! 🙌”
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