Ayra Starr Makes History as the First African Female to Win Best International Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards
Ayra Starr stays winning
- written by Eavesdroppr's
- 2 min read
- 19 Feb, 2025
Ayra StarrNigerian Afrobeats sensation, Ayra Starr just etched her name into the history books, winning Best International Act at the 2025 MOBO Awards in Newcastle, UK. This milestone makes her the first-ever African female artist to snag the prestigious title, joining Nigerian heavyweights Wizkid and Burna Boy in the MOBO hall of fame.
Ayra Starr didn’t just take home one award—she doubled the victory by also clinching the Best African Act award. Beating out an elite lineup that included Tyla, Tems, Shallipopi, OdumoduBlvck, and Rema, she proved once again why she’s a dominant force in Afrobeats.
The "Rush" hitmaker faced fierce global competition for Best International Act, edging out Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, both fresh off their 67th Grammy Awards triumphs. Nigerian superstars Asake and Tems were also in the mix, making this category one of the toughest of the night.
Full List of MOBO Award Winners 2025
🔹 Best Male Act – Central Cee
🔹 Best Female Act – Darkoo
🔹 Best Newcomer – Odeal
🔹 Album of the Year – Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
🔹 Song of the Year – Darkoo – Favourite Girl (feat. Dess Dior)
🔹 Video of the Year – Mnelia – My Man (directed by Femi Bello)
🔹 Best Hip-Hop Act – Bashy
🔹 Best Grime Act – Scorcher
🔹 Best Drill Act – Pozer
🔹 Best R&B/Soul Act – Odeal
🔹 Best Media Personality – 90s Baby Show
🔹 Best African Music Act – Ayra Starr
🔹 Best Performance in a TV Show/Film – Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With the Vampire
🔹 Best Electronic/Dance Music Act – Tsha
🔹 Best Gospel Act – Annatoria
🔹 Best Jazz Act – Ezra Collective
🔹 Best Producer – Juls
🔹 Best Caribbean Music Act – Shenseea
🔹 Best Alternative Music Act – Alt Blk Era
🔹 Best International Act – Ayra Starr
🔹 MOBO Paving the Way Award – Denise Lewis
🔹 MOBO Impact Award – Vybz Kartel