Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr will headline the Afronation Festival in the Dominican Republic, joining American rapper Sexy Redd and South African DJ Maphorisa as the main acts.
Scheduled for November 7–9, 2025, in Punta Cana, the festival will bring together global Black music genres, blending Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, and Amapiano. The event is expected to celebrate the growing influence of African and diaspora music on the global stage.
Ayra Starr’s inclusion follows a year of major milestones for the Grammy-nominated artist. Her recent singles “Rush,” “Sability,” and “Hot Body” have solidified her global reach, and her tour with Coldplay saw her perform in sold-out arenas worldwide. She also appeared at major events including the St. Kitts Music Festival and the Canadian Jazz Festival.
Other Nigerian artists on the lineup include Shallipopi and Ruger, further showcasing the prominence of Afrobeats in international music.
In 2025, Ayra Starr became the first Nigerian female artist to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube. She also won Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards—becoming only the second African female artist to earn the honor after Tems—and picked up two MOBO Awards. Her collaboration with Giveon, “Last Heartbreak Song,” was awarded Best R&B Single at the 17th Headies Awards.
Her upcoming performance at Afronation Dominican Republic is expected to highlight her continued rise and reinforce the growing global appeal of African music.
