Ayra Starr Becomes First African Female to Win 2025 MOBO Best International Act

Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr won two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards, held in Newcastle, United Kingdom.

READ ALSO: Davido, Ayra Starr congratulate Tems, Chris Brown on their Grammy victory

She made history as the first African female artist to win Best International Act, joining Wizkid and Burna Boy as Nigerian artists who have claimed the prestigious British award.

 

The moment Ayra Starr was announced as the winner of Best International Act at the #MOBOAwards ahead of Asake, BNXN, Ruger, King Promise, OdumoduBlvck, Rema, Shallipopi, Tems, Tyla and Uncle Waffles.pic.twitter.com/vS2DoWK2oz

— @ (@OneJoblessBoy) February 18, 2025

Ayra Starr triumphed over American megastars Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, who were also nominated following their recent successes at the 67th Grammys. The nominations list also included Nigerian superstars Asake and Tems.

The hitmaker secured two awards at the 2025 MOBOs, including Best African Act, after outperforming several top artists from across the continent, such as Tyla, Tems, Shallipopi, OdumoduBlvck, and Rema.

Best male act: Central Cee

Best female act: Darkoo

Best newcomer: Odeal

Album of the year: Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive

Song of the year: Darkoo – Favourite Girl (ft Dess Dior)

Video of the year: Mnelia – My Man (directed by Femi Bello)

Best hip-hop act: Bashy

Best grime act: Scorcher

Best drill act: Pozer

Best R&B/soul act: Odeal

Best media personality: 90s Baby Show

Best African music act: Ayra Starr

Best performance in a TV show/film: Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With the Vampire

Best electronic/dance music act: Tsha

Best gospel act: Annatoria

Best jazz act: Ezra Collective

Best producer: Juls

Best Caribbean music act: Shenseea

Best alternative music act: Alt Blk Era

Best international act: Ayra Starr

MOBO Paving the Way award: Denise Lewis

MOBO Impact award: Vybz Kartel

Pulse/ Oluchi