Nigerian music sensation Oyinkansola Sarah, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has made history as the first African artiste to headline a halftime show at a National Football League (NFL) International Games fixture.
The Afrobeats star took centre stage on Sunday during the NFL clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, delivering a performance that highlighted the growing global influence of African music.
Ayra Starr kicked off her set with “Heaven Baby” before entertaining the crowd with “Santa”, “Rush” and “Dangerous”. She wrapped up the performance with a medley of “Hot Body” and “Ms. Paper”.
The singer also celebrated the landmark achievement in a post on her official X account, describing herself as the “first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show”.
Her appearance was part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games programme, which features regular-season matchups staged outside the United States.
Since launching her music career in 2020, Ayra Starr has steadily built an international profile, performing on major global stages at sporting events, festivals and concerts.
She gained widespread recognition with the release of her debut album, “19 & Dangerous”, in 2021. The project helped establish her as one of Afrobeats’ rising stars, with popular tracks such as “Rush”, “Bloody Samaritan” and “Commas” further expanding her audience.
Her historic appearance in London marks another significant moment for Nigerian music, underscoring the increasing presence of Afrobeats on the international entertainment stage.