Ayra Starr’s sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 500 million streams on Spotify. This achievement makes it the most-streamed album by an African female artist on the platform.
Released on May 30, 2024, the album features 15 tracks and has been widely praised for its fresh take on Nigerian pop music while also showcasing Ayra Starr’s international aspirations. It includes popular singles like “Commas,” “Rhythm & Blues,” and “Bad Vibes,” featuring Seyi Vibez, alongside collaborations with Nigerian artist Asake, American stars Giveon and Coco Jones, and Brazilian singer Aniita.
The album set records for the biggest opening day and week for an album by a Nigerian female artist on Spotify. The success of “Santa,” her collaboration with Jamaican producer Rvssian, which has amassed over 339 million streams, has significantly contributed to this achievement.
With this landmark, The Year I Turned 21 not only becomes the most-streamed album by an African female artist but also ranks among the most-streamed Nigerian albums on Spotify, bringing Ayra Starr closer to the 2 billion streaming mark on the platform.