Ayra Starr Brings the Heat to Spotify’s Frequency

In January 2026, Ayra Starr took the spotlight as the cover star of Spotify’s Frequency Issue 033. This feature highlights her rise as one of the leading figures in Afrobeats and her growing influence in global music. In the Spotify “Our Frequency” zine, she also shared reflections on her creative journey and what inspires her sound. She described her Benin Republic experience: “Benin Republic has more like a beach vibe. Everywhere is, like, calm. Everybody is quite, so i can’t put it into, like a few words. It’s made me who I am”. She also shared some personal 2026 goals. “In 2026 I’m looking forward to learning how to cook more known Nigerian food and my album, Amen”.

Ayra Starr – Instagram

The visuals for Issue 033 shows Ayra Starr’s strong presence and personal style. The feature gives fans a glimpse into her creative process, showing how she makes music and the experiences that influence her sounds.

Ayra Starr – Instagram

Ayra Starr’s accomplishments on Spotify include, becoming the first African female artist to surpass 5 million followers. Her songs have also attained huge streaming numbers over the years, with “Santa” surpassing 700 million streams and “Rush” exceeding 470 million streams, demonstrating her reach in Afrobeats worldwide. She has consistently achieved strong performance on digital platforms, solidifying her reputation both locally and internationally as a leading Afrobeats artist.

Ayra Starr – Instagram

During her feature on Spotify Frequency, Ayra Starr also revealed that her next album is complete and scheduled for release in 2026, signalling a new phase in her career.