Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Sarah, known professionally as Ayra Starr, has become the first African artist to headline a halftime show at an NFL International Games match.
The Afrobeats star took the stage on Sunday during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The set list
Ayra Starr opened with “Heaven Baby” before moving through “Santa”, “Rush” and “Dangerous”. She closed with a medley of “Hot Body” and “Ms. Paper”.
She marked the milestone on her official X account, describing herself as the “first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show.”
The performance was part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games, a series of regular-season matches played outside the United States.
From debut to global stages
Ayra Starr began her music career in 2020 and has since grown into one of Afrobeats’ most recognisable international acts, performing at major sporting events, festivals and concerts around the world, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She rose to prominence with her debut album, “19 & Dangerous”, released in 2021. Her hits include “Rush”, “Bloody Samaritan” and “Commas”.
Her London performance underlines the growing international reach of Afrobeats and Nigerian music.