Ayra Starr achieved a historic milestone at the just concluded 2025 MOBO Awards, held on February 18 at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena by clinching both the ‘Best African Music Act’ and ‘Best International Act’ awards.
Starr’s victory as ‘Best International Act’ is particularly notable, as she becomes the first African woman to receive this honor—an award previously held by greats like Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Beyoncé. A true win for the iconic girlies. Additionally, she is the first female artist in 16 years to win ‘Best African Music Act,’.
“Okayy, crazyy… this is nicee! Okay, this is my first MOBOs, and it’s also my first time winning a MOBO Award—make some noise! I’m actually shaking right now, I’m so nervous. Um… thank you so much to everybody that supported me. Thank you to my team, my amazing Mobstars, my incredible brother who makes music with me, the producers in the studio—my studio partners in crime. My label, Mavin Records […] Shoutout to my mummy, shoutout to my family […] Thank you so much!” – Ayra Starr in her acceptance speech
