The summer just got its anthem. 2x GRAMMY-nominated, 3x MOBO Award-winning global Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr has released her new single “Tornado,” out now via Mavin Records/Republic Records. It’s a confident, dancefloor-ready statement from one of the genre’s brightest forces.
Produced by Skillies, Shizzi, and RiotUSA, “Tornado” rides an infectious beat and a chorus that locks in on the first listen. Ayra’s commanding tone makes it impossible to sit still. The official music video is out now.
The track marks the next chapter ahead of her highly anticipated third studio album ‘Starrgirl,’ arriving August 14th. Earlier this week she debuted the song during a captivating Tiny Desk performance, giving fans an early taste of what’s coming.
Momentum has been building fast. Ayra recently made her daytime television debut on The Jennifer Hudson Show with a show-stopping take on her hit “Where Do We Go,” a track that’s gathered over 1.3 billion streams worldwide and spawned an electric remix with DJ and style icon Peggy Gou.
The numbers tell the story. Ayra now sits at over 7 billion global streams and 1 billion YouTube views, breaking barriers and creating firsts for African artists at every turn. Her culture travels with her wherever she goes.
2025 was a banner year. Her smash “Rush” crossed 500 million Spotify plays, making her the first African female artist to land two songs at that mark on the platform. She earned her second GRAMMY nomination for Best African Music Performance for “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, scooped two MOBO Awards (including becoming the first female artist in 16 years to win Best African Music Act), and picked up her first BET Award for Best International Act.
The Beninese-Nigerian star has shared the studio with Wizkid, Stormzy, Rema, Coldplay, Tiwa Savage, and Leigh-Anne, earning co-signs from the likes of Rihanna along the way. Her genre-blending sound and fearless storytelling keep pushing Afrobeats further onto the world stage.