Nigerian Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr is set to make history as the first African artist to headline an NFL international game halftime show. She will perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ahead of the performance, Starr spoke to BBC Newsbeat about the significance of her history-making show.
Starr's performance is seen as a milestone for African artists and the Afrobeats genre, which has grown in popularity in recent years. The 24-year-old singer has already broken numerous records, including becoming the first African woman to win best international act at the Mobo Awards and the first Nigerian woman to surpass one billion video views on YouTube.
Starr's music often speaks to themes of freedom and equality, particularly for women and the girl child. Her upcoming performance will feature tracks from her new studio album, Starrgirl, which was released in August. The singer confirmed that she is still in rehearsals and is excited about the show, saying "Sunday is gonna be amazing."
Before becoming a superstar, Starr studied for a degree in political sciences and international relations, which she says has influenced her work. She is known for being outspoken on issues such as women's rights and equality. Starr also acknowledges that the Afrobeats genre is male-dominated and hopes for more space for female artists in the future.
The Afrobeats genre, which originates from West Africa, has become increasingly popular globally, dominating playlists and featuring at major festivals such as Glastonbury. Starr believes that the rest of the world is just "catching up" to a style that has been popular in Africa for a long time.
Starr's achievement is seen as a significant moment for African music and culture. She is one of the dominant faces of Afrobeats, alongside artists such as Wizkid and Burna Boy. The singer is optimistic about the future of Afrobeats, saying that it "just keeps evolving, it keeps growing and it just keeps getting better… I want it to be one of the top genres in the world."
Starr's performance at the NFL international game halftime show is expected to be a highly anticipated event. She has been making waves in the music industry in recent years and is known for her energetic live performances. The show is set to take place on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Key points
- Ayra Starr will become the first African artist to headline an NFL international game halftime show.
- The performance will feature tracks from her new studio album, Starrgirl.
- Starr's achievement is seen as a significant moment for African music and culture.
