Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has become the first African artist to headline a halftime show at an NFL International Game, performing before an international audience during the Philadelphia Eagles versus Jacksonville Jaguars clash in London on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Afrobeats star took to the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, performing songs including “Rush” and “Heaven Baby” from her growing catalogue, as African music continued to gain visibility on major global entertainment platforms.
Ahead of the performance, Starr, whose real name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, said artists had a responsibility to represent their cultures and the people who listen to their music when given opportunities on international stages.
“At the end of the day, as artists, we speak for the culture and we speak for the people that listen to us. And we have to represent any way that seems fit, that they need,” she told the BBC.
The singer added that performing for international audiences was itself a way of communicating the significance of her cultural background, drawing inspiration from artists who have used global platforms to showcase their heritage.
A day before the show, Starr had hinted at the preparations in a post on Instagram, sharing a rehearsal video of herself and her dancers practising their choreography.
“Been working on something special so excited to perform at the NFL halftime game tomorrowwwww,” she wrote.
Her appearance adds to a series of milestones in a career that has taken her from Nigeria’s music scene to international stages.
Starr previously became the first African woman to win Best International Act at the MOBO Awards and the first Nigerian female artist to surpass one billion YouTube views.
The NFL’s international fixtures combine American football with live entertainment, providing performers with opportunities to reach audiences beyond their established markets. Starr’s performance also reflects the growing presence of Afrobeats in the global music industry.
Although the genre has gained greater international exposure in recent years through streaming platforms, festivals and collaborations, Starr has stressed that Afrobeats was already thriving in Africa long before the rest of the world caught on.
She has also spoken about the need for greater representation of women in the music industry, which remains male-dominated, expressing hope that female performers will receive equal opportunities to build their careers.
Before pursuing music professionally, Starr studied political science and international relations.
She has also used her public platform to advocate for gender equality, women’s rights and youth empowerment, themes that align with her emphasis on personal freedom and self-expression.