Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr has etched her name in music history at the 2026 MOBO Awards, winning Best International Act for the second consecutive year during the ceremony’s 30th anniversary at the Co-op Live arena.
The “Sabi Girl” successfully defended her title following a groundbreaking 2025 campaign, where she became the first African female artist to claim both Best International Act and Best African Music Act. Her back-to-back victory now places her in an elite league of Nigerian stars, joining Wizkid and Burna Boy as the only acts to win the international category multiple times. Starr triumphed over a star-studded lineup including Cardi B, Gunna, Kehlani, Tyla, Mariah the Scientist, Clipse, and Vybz Kartel.
While she lost the Best African Music Act title to Wizkid this year, her repeat international win underscores her meteoric rise as a global pop phenomenon. At just 23, Starr’s accomplishments also include 2 Grammy nominations for Rush in 2024 and Gimme Dat ft Wizkid in 2026.
