By Fortune Mbonu
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has made history as the first African artiste to headline a National Football League (NFL) International Games halftime show, further cementing her position as one of Nigeria’s leading musical exports.
The Grammy-nominated singer delivered her performance on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, United Kingdom, during the NFL Week Five encounter between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The appearance formed part of the league’s expanded international programme, which features musical performances across seven countries and four continents.
Taking centre stage before an international audience, Ayra Starr opened her set with Heaven Baby, before moving into other songs, including Santa, Rush and Dangerous. She rounded off the performance with a medley of Hot Body and Ms. Paper, showcasing her versatility and the distinctive Afrobeats sound that has helped her gain international recognition.
The performance also provided a platform for the singer to showcase songs from her expanding catalogue, including her third studio album, Starrgirl, released in August 2026. One of the standout tracks, Heaven Baby, has further drawn attention following its collaboration with British singer Zayn Malik.
Ayra Starr later acknowledged the significance of the achievement in a post on her official X account, describing herself as the first African artiste to headline an NFL International Games halftime show.
Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, the singer rose to prominence after joining Mavin Records and releasing her self-titled debut EP in 2021. She subsequently gained wider recognition with her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, which produced popular songs such as Away and Bloody Samaritan. Her global profile grew further with Rush, which earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance.
Her latest achievement reflects the growing international reach of Nigerian music, particularly Afrobeats, which continues to secure greater visibility at major sporting events, festivals and entertainment platforms around the world.
By headlining the NFL International Games halftime show, Ayra Starr has added another milestone to her career while helping bring contemporary African music to a broader global audience.
