Ayra Starr Wins Best International Act at 2026 MOBO Awards

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has once again claimed the Best International Act title at the 2026 MOBO Awards, securing her second consecutive victory in the category and solidifying her status as a global force in contemporary music.

The 23-year-old star, signed to Mavin Records and represented by Roc Nation, triumphed over a star-studded list of nominees that included heavyweights such as Cardi B, Gunna, Kehlani, Clipse, Tyla, and Vybz Kartel. The win, announced on Thursday evening during the ceremony held at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, underscores the growing international influence of Afrobeats and African artists on the global stage.

This marks Ayra Starr’s third MOBO Award overall. In 2025, she made history by becoming the first female African artist in 16 years to win the Best African Music Act category, while also taking home the Best International Act honor for the first time. Her back-to-back success in the International category places her among an elite group of African acts, including Wizkid and Burna Boy, who have demonstrated sustained excellence in the awards.

Roc Nation, her management label, issued a statement celebrating the achievement: “Congratulations to Ayra Starr on winning Best International Act at the 2026 MOBO Awards.” The Africa Hall of Fame echoed the sentiment, describing the victory as “a statement” of her undeniable global reign.

The 2026 MOBO Awards celebrated Black music and culture across genres, with other Nigerian winners including Wizkid, who took home the Best African Music Act title this year in a competitive field featuring Davido, Rema, Tiwa Savage, and Adekunle Gold.

Ayra Starr’s continued dominance signals a new era for African talent, where homegrown stars are not only competing but consistently leading on international platforms. As her career momentum builds toward potential new releases and further global tours, this latest accolade reinforces her position as one of the brightest lights in modern music.

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