The Beninese-Nigerian singer behind “Rush”, a two-time Grammy nominee and the first African woman on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, closes the European leg of her Starrgirl tour in Shepherd’s Bush.
Ayra Starr, the Beninese-Nigerian singer whose “Rush” went platinum in the UK, plays O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Tuesday 2 February 2027. It is the only UK night of her Starrgirl World Tour and closes its European leg.
She was born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe in Cotonou in 2002 and raised between Benin and Lagos. She sings in English, Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin.
In December 2019 she posted an original song, “Damage”, to Instagram, and Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records, messaged her. “Rush”, from the deluxe edition of her 2021 debut album, 19 & Dangerous, brought her a first Grammy nomination.
In June 2024 she became the first African woman to play the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. She has won the MOBO for Best International Act in consecutive years.
In 2025 she made her runway debut at London Fashion Week, closing the Di Petsa show. In October 2026 she played the halftime set at the NFL’s London game.
Starrgirl, her third album, came out on 14 August 2026 and carries “Heaven Baby”, her duet with ZAYN. This night brings the new record to a theatre on Shepherd’s Bush Green.