Ayra Starr’s THE YEAR I TURNED 21 Breaks Barriers with 1 Billion Spotify Streams, First for a Nigerian Female Artiste

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
By
Ayra Starr’s THE YEAR I TURNED 21 Breaks Barriers with 1 Billion Spotify Streams, First for a Nigerian Female Artiste
Ayra Starr
Written By : Ekow Adjei Mensah



Ayra Starr has etched her name in music history as her sophomore album, THE YEAR I TURNED 21, surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the first Nigerian project by a female artiste to achieve this milestone. Released on May 31, 2024, through Mavin Records, the album’s introspective and genre-blending sound, featuring collaborations with artistes like Asake, Giveon and Coco Jones, resonated globally, amassing 6.3 million streams on its opening day alone, the highest for a Nigerian female act. 

This achievement, celebrated widely, positions the album as the fifth most-streamed Nigerian project on Spotify, underscoring Starr’s meteoric rise as a global Afrobeats star.

The album’s success is proof of Starr’s ability to blend Afrobeats, R&B, and pop with raw emotional depth, capturing the essence of her coming-of-age journey. Tracks like the 2023 single repurposed for the album showcased her versatility, while the project’s record-breaking first-day debut set a new benchmark for Nigerian female artistes on Spotify. 

The album’s rapid climb highlighted in posts, noting it surpassed 800 million streams by December 2024, making it the seventh most-streamed Nigerian project at the time before hitting the billion mark. Starr’s milestone also reflects her broader impact, as she became the first Nigerian female artiste to reach 20 million monthly Spotify listeners.

This historic achievement has sparked widespread celebration, with fans and industry voices on X praising Starr for breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry. The album’s dominance, coupled with its critical acclaim for its nuanced exploration of youth and ambition, signals a shift in African music’s global influence. 

As THE YEAR I TURNED 21 continues to chart new territory, it not only cements Ayra Starr’s star power but also paves the way for future female artistes from Nigeria to aim for similar heights, redefining the narrative of African music on the world stage.

Comments

MORE FROM
entertainment

More From 3Music News

Guru Opens Up About Leadership, Activism and Growth
music | entertainment | BY Christabel Newman | October 30th, 2025

Guru Opens Up About Leadership, Activism and Growth

Weeks after leaving office, Guru trended online for calling out what he described as “bad behaviour” among some student influencers. He clarified that it wasn’t a rant but a call for accountability. “Bad behaviour is bad behaviour.

Guru Returns to His Roots with a Bold Street Anthem and Fresh Energy
music | entertainment | BY Christabel Newman | October 30th, 2025

Guru Returns to His Roots with a Bold Street Anthem and Fresh Energy

Guru revealed that his latest release is not just a musical experiment but a reflection of real-life stories and social observations. “The song talks about what’s really happening around us. There’s no fiction. It’s real life. People relate because it’s the truth.”

GoldBod Jewellery Appoints Bola Ray and Jocelyn Dumas as Brand Ambassadors
entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

GoldBod Jewellery Appoints Bola Ray and Jocelyn Dumas as Brand Ambassadors

Bola Ray and Jocelyn Dumas represent excellence and authenticity, the very values that define the GoldBod Jewellery brand,” he said. “Their appointment marks a major milestone in GoldBod’s mission to promote local value addition to the country’s gold resources

Strei Teams Up With BabyBoy AV For New Afrobeats Hit CRAZILY
music | entertainment | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

Strei Teams Up With BabyBoy AV For New Afrobeats Hit CRAZILY

“Meeting AV in the studio felt completely natural,” Strei shares. “The vibe was effortless, we both drew from real love experiences and the chemistry just flowed.”

Moliy Lands Feature On Ciara Song
music | entertainment | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

Moliy Lands Feature On Ciara Song

The news broke after Ciara confirmed the collaboration during an interview on Joe and Jada, sparking excitement across social media. Moliy, who has been making waves with her distinctive Afro-fusion sound, continues to prove her global appeal.

Ghana Tertiary Fashion Awards Empowers Young Creatives with Fashion Education Series Tour
entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

Ghana Tertiary Fashion Awards Empowers Young Creatives with Fashion Education Series Tour

The Ghana Tertiary Fashion Awards (GTFA) has embarked on a nationwide campus tour to empower and educate the next generation of fashion creatives through its Fashion Education Series (FES) an initiative designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real world industry experience.

Michael Blackson Confirms Breakup with Fiancée Rada After Welcoming Two Babies
entertainment | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

Michael Blackson Confirms Breakup with Fiancée Rada After Welcoming Two Babies

In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram on October 27, 2025, the comedian revealed that while the past few months have been filled with blessings, they have also brought significant pain and personal challenges.

Davido Kicks Off Nigerian Leg of 5IVE ALIVE TOUR
music | entertainment | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

Davido Kicks Off Nigerian Leg of 5IVE ALIVE TOUR

The night was a sensory spectacle complete with fireworks, immersive visuals and vibrant choreography capturing the spirit of Afrobeats and reaffirming Davido’s place as one of Africa’s most dynamic live performers.

Are Women Too Emotional for Leadership or Is That a Lazy Myth?
culture | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

Are Women Too Emotional for Leadership or Is That a Lazy Myth?

Yet, the double standard persists. Female leaders are often criticised for being “too emotional” or “too strict,” while men showing the same traits are praised as passionate or assertive.

Men Lead, Women Control? The Double Standard No One Wants to Admit
culture | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

Men Lead, Women Control? The Double Standard No One Wants to Admit

This perception of “the tougher female boss” is not new. Psychologists refer to it as the double bind, the notion that women in leadership must be strong enough to earn respect but gentle enough to be liked, whereas men are rarely judged by those same emotional standards.

Skinny Skater; The Nigerian Artiste Finding Calm, Creativity and Connection in Ghana
music | entertainment | BY Christabel Newman | October 29th, 2025

Skinny Skater; The Nigerian Artiste Finding Calm, Creativity and Connection in Ghana

Drawing inspiration from artistes like Burna Boy, Rema and Tekno, Skinny Skater has steadily built a sound rooted in introspection and emotion. His current single, Casanova, explores themes of love, maturity and vulnerability.

From Cell to Stage, Vybz Kartel’s Toronto Debut Becomes a Global Dancehall Moment
music | entertainment | BY Christabel Newman | October 28th, 2025

From Cell to Stage, Vybz Kartel’s Toronto Debut Becomes a Global Dancehall Moment

The Jamaican superstar captivated audiences with three consecutive sold-out shows at Scotiabank Arena, marking a triumphant return to the global stage after years away from live performance.

More Similar Videos

Showboy Shares His Journey From Prison To Becoming Ghana's Biggest Trapper
music,entertainment | Lerny Lomotey | October 27th, 2025

Showboy Shares His Journey From Prison To Becoming Ghana's Biggest Trapper