Ayra Starr’s The Year I Turned 21 Celebrates a Year of Record-Breaking Success

Aimee Cherry Quartey
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Ayra Starr’s The Year I Turned 21 Celebrates a Year of Record-Breaking Success
Ayra Starr, The Year I Turned 21
Ayra Starr’s sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, released on May 31st, 2024, has marked its first anniversary with a series of remarkable achievements, solidifying her status as a global Afrobeats star.

The album made history by becoming the first project by a Nigerian female artiste to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify, a testament to its widespread appeal and the growing global influence of Afrobeats.



Upon release, The Year I Turned 21 debuted at No. 1 on the Nigerian Albums Chart and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 195, making Starr the first Nigerian female artiste to achieve this milestone.
The album features a diverse lineup of artistes including Asake, Anitta and Coco Jones, Giveon, Seyi Vibez, Milar and Rvssian alongside Rauw Alejandro.


Critics praised the album for its introspective themes and genre-blending sound. NME highlighted Starr’s adept storytelling and the album’s exploration of themes like love, fame, and self-discovery.  The Guardian commended her vocal range and experimentation with various sounds, noting the album’s magnetic Afrobeats influence.

The Year I Turned 21 garnered significant accolades, including:
• MOBO Awards 2025: Ayra Starr made history as the first African woman to win Best International Act and the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act.  
• The Headies 2024: The album was nominated for Album of the Year, and its single COMMAS received a nomination for Song of the Year.  
• MTV Video Music Awards: The music video for Last Heartbreak Song, featuring Giveon, earned a nomination for Best Afrobeats Video.

The Year I Turned 21 stands as a defining work in Ayra Starr’s career, showcasing her growth as an artiste and her ability to resonate with a global audience. The album’s success reflects the rising prominence of African female artists on the world stage and the universal appeal of Afrobeats music.

As Ayra Starr continues to break barriers and set new records, The Year I Turned 21 remains a testament to her talent, vision, and the transformative power of music.

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