Nigerian Afropop star Ayra Starr has topped Billboard’s latest new music poll with her third studio album, Starrgirl.
The 16-track project emerged as the most preferred new release in the weekly poll, beating projects and releases from international acts including KATSEYE, Phoebe Bridgers, Troye Sivan and Becky G.
Starrgirl secured more than 87 per cent of the votes when the poll closed on Sunday, August 16, giving the Nigerian singer a commanding lead over other releases featured in the poll.
The album follows Ayra Starr’s 2024 project, The Year I Turned 21, and features collaborations with Wizkid, Zayn, Rema, Leon Thomas and Danny Ocean.
It also includes her recent single “Tornado” and her Grammy-nominated collaboration with Wizkid, “Gimme Dat.”
Ayra Starr has described Starrgirl as a reflection of her personal growth and evolution as an artiste.
The singer said her time in New York helped her embrace a more relaxed and complete version of herself.
She also explained that the project explores the process of breaking away from expectations placed on young Black and African women.
The Billboard poll result adds to the growing international attention surrounding Starrgirl and further highlights Ayra Starr’s growing presence on the global music scene.
