Award-winning Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, is set to make history as the first Afrobeats artist to headline an NFL halftime show.
The National Football League (NFL) announced the development in a statement on Thursday, describing her as the “first-ever Afrobeats artist to headline an NFL game.”
The singer will perform on October 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 24-year-old songwriter also confirmed the announcement, describing the opportunity as a “dream come true”.
“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London,” she said. “London is one of my favourite places in the world, and to bring Starrgirl to the NFL global stage is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to see you guys there!”
The NFL says the London performance is one of seven halftime shows presented by American Express across its 2026 International Games, with performances scheduled across seven countries and four continents.
NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, Tim Tubito, described Starr as a “generational talent” with a strong connection to London audiences.
“London is one of the most influential music cities in the world, and African music has been at the centre of that conversation for years now,” Tubito said.
“Ayra Starr is a generational talent with a real connection to fans in this market, and building on the halftime shows we have staged in London in recent seasons, she is the right artist to carry that momentum forward.”
Ayra’s appearance comes shortly after the release of her new album, Starrgirl, which has earned support from fans and fellow artistes.
The October performance is set to mark another major milestone for African music, placing one of Nigeria’s leading Afrobeats voices at the heart of a global sporting spectacle.
The development is coming in the wake of Nigerian music stars taking centre stage at some of the world’s biggest sporting events, showcasing Afrobeats to global audiences.
Burna Boy, Rema and Tems performed at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, while Burna Boy co-headlined the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show that same year.
Davido performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony, and Rema made history as the first African artiste to perform at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
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