Nigerian music star Ayra Starr has made history as the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards.

The award ceremony, held in Newcastle, also saw Ayra Starr clinch the Best International Music Act award, further cementing her status as a global sensation.

She beat Asake, Tems, Rema, Shallipopi, BNXN & Ruger, King Promise, Odumodublvck, Tyla, and Uncle Waffles in the Best African Music Act category.

Ayra Starr also triumphed over Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Latto to win Best International Music Act.

With this victory, Ayra Starr (2025) joins Wizkid (2017, 2021) and Burna Boy (2020, 2022) as the only Nigerian artists to have won the MOBO Award for Best International Act.

The 2025 MOBO Awards, hosted by Indiyah Polack and Eddie Kadi, celebrated the best of Black music and culture.

MOBO’s Official Announcement

A post from the official MOBO X account read:

“Global star, unstoppable force! 🌍✨ @ayrastarr took home Best African Music Act at the #MOBOAwards – repping African music at the highest level! 🔥🏆”

Best African Music Act – Full Nominee List

  • Asake (Nigeria)
  • WINNER: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
  • BNXN & Ruger (Nigeria)
  • King Promise (Ghana)
  • Odumodublvck (Nigeria)
  • Rema (Nigeria)
  • Shallipopi (Nigeria)
  • Tems (Nigeria)
  • Tyla (South Africa)
  • Uncle Waffles (South Africa)

Ayra Starr’s Emotional Acceptance Speech

During her acceptance speech, an emotional Ayra Starr expressed her gratitude:

“Okay, this is my first MOBO. And this is the first time I’m winning a MOBO Award—make some noise! I am actually shaking right now. I am actually nervous.
Thank you so much to everybody who supported me. Thank you to my team—my amazing MOB-STARS.
My amazing brothers who make music with me—the producers in the studio—my studio partners in crime; my label—MAVINS record, Embryo, my mummy…
Thank you so much. Thank you, MOBOs.”

Other Major Winners

Other notable winners at the 2025 MOBO Awards included Bashy, Darkoo, and Odeal.

Darkoo secured the Best Female Act award.

The MOBO X account also celebrated Darkoo’s win, posting:

“From bangers to big wins! 🔥🏆 @Darkoo takes home the Best Female Act award at the #MOBOAwards – a well-deserved victory! 🙌”

About the MOBO Awards

The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin Awards) is an annual British music ceremony celebrating excellence in Black music, covering genres such as hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and African music.

Founded in 1996 by Kanya King, the awards have been instrumental in recognizing and elevating Black artists globally.

With Ayra Starr’s historic win, the MOBOs continue to showcase African music’s undeniable influence on the global stage.