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August 27, 2026Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has recorded another major international achievement as her third studio album, Starrgirl, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
The album entered the chart for the week of August 29, 2026, less than two weeks after its release, further strengthening Ayra Starr’s growing global presence.
‘Starrgirl’ Makes Strong Billboard Debut
Starrgirl debuted behind three K-pop releases on the World Albums chart.
Stray Kids’ This & That held the No. 1 position, while CORTIS’ GREEN GREEN and ATEEZ’s Golden Hour: Part.5 ranked second and third respectively. South African singer Tyla’s APOP followed Ayra Starr at No. 5.
The Billboard World Albums chart measures the performance of international albums in the United States using a combination of album sales and streaming-equivalent consumption.
Ayra Starr’s Third Studio Album
Released on August 14, 2026, through Mavin Records and Republic Records, Starrgirl is Ayra Starr’s third studio album.
The 16-track project follows her 2021 debut album, 19 & Dangerous, and her 2024 sophomore project, The Year I Turned 21.
The album features a strong mix of Nigerian and international stars, including Wizkid, Rema, ZAYN, Leon Thomas, kwn, Danny Ocean and Theodora.
‘Starrgirl’ Records Success Beyond Billboard
The Billboard debut is not the album’s only international achievement.
Starrgirl has also reached No. 8 on the UK R&B Albums chart, No. 27 on the UK Album Downloads chart and No. 100 on France’s SNEP Albums chart.
In Nigeria, the project climbed to the top of Spotify’s album chart and also recorded No. 1 positions on Apple Music in several markets.
Billboard readers also voted Starrgirl their favourite new music release in the publication’s weekly poll, highlighting the strong reception surrounding the project.
Another Global Milestone for Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr has continued to establish herself as one of the most recognisable Nigerian artists on the international stage.
Since emerging through Mavin Records, the singer has built an audience beyond Africa through hit records, collaborations and performances across major global markets.
Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy recently praised the singer’s growth and impact, describing her as an important part of the label’s success after initially discovering her through an Instagram freestyle.
Afrobeats Continues Its Global Rise
The success of Starrgirl is another indication of the growing international demand for Nigerian music.
With Nigerian artists increasingly appearing on major charts and collaborating with international stars, Afrobeats continues to expand its influence beyond Africa.
For Ayra Starr, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard World Albums chart represents another important milestone in a career that continues to move firmly onto the global stage.
And with Starrgirl still early in its release cycle, the album could have even more milestones ahead.
