Tems or Ayra Starr – Who’s the Real Queen of Afrobeats?
Introduction
In the vibrant, ever-expanding universe of Afrobeats, two names shine particularly bright—Tems and Ayra Starr. Both are redefining the genre, each through her unique artistry, accomplishments, and global appeal. Rather than crowning a singular queen, the real story lies in celebrating how they both, each in her own right, are reigning—crafting paths that inspire, dominate, and broaden the impact of African music. Let’s explore the compelling journeys of these phenomenal artists.
1. The Sound & Signature Style
Tems is the trailblazer in soulful, R&B-tinged Afrobeats. Her minimalistic production style, deep vocals, and emotional candor have carved a niche that sets her apart. Her debut For Broken Ears EP introduced a voice that felt both intimate and powerful.
On the other hand, Ayra Starr brings high-energy Afropop infused with R&B and youthful exuberance. Singles like Away and Rush showcase her catchy hooks, magnetic confidence, and genre-blending versatility. While Tems evokes introspection, Ayra delivers infectious vibrancy.
2. Global Reach & Influential Collaborations
Tems made waves globally through standout collaborations:
- She features on Wizkid’s Essence, a global Afrobeats anthem.
- Her feature on Future & Drake’s Wait for U earned her a Grammy—making her the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy.
- She co-wrote Rihanna’s Lift Me Up for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, earning Golden Globe, Academy Award, and Grammy nominations.
- In 2025, her single “Love Me JeJe” won the Grammy for Best African Music Performance, elevating Afrobeats further on the global stage.
- She even expanded into sports ownership—becoming the first African woman to own part of a U.S. professional sports team (San Diego FC).
Meanwhile, Ayra Starr’s ascent has been no less remarkable:
- Her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21, debuted at No. 1 in Nigeria and charted on Billboard 200—a first for a female Nigerian artist.
- Her track “Santa” became the first female Nigerian song collaboration to reach 20 million monthly Spotify listeners, marking a major streaming milestone.
- She smashed records as the first African female artist to surpass 5 million Spotify followers, trailing just behind Tems in total streams (2.7B vs. 3.8B).
- In 2025, Ayra became the first woman in 16 years to win Best African Music Act and also took home Best International Music Act at the MOBO Awards.
- Her album sold 2.2 million units globally, making it the only female Nigerian album to exceed 2 million global sales.
- She is dominating streaming metrics: six of her songs landed in Spotify’s Nigeria Global Impact Top 30.
- Her track “Rush” went platinum in the UK and played a major role in making her Africa’s top musician on Spotify with 25 million monthly listeners.
- She also performed at the 2025 Giants of Africa Festival in Rwanda, merging cultural influence with music and impact.
3. Awards & Milestones
| Artist | Major Achievements |
|---|---|
| Tems | Grammy wins (Wait for U, Love Me JeJe); first Nigerian female Grammy winner; writing credits for global soundtracks; high-profile collaborations with Beyoncé, Rihanna; sports ownership milestone; global acclaim. |
| Ayra Starr | First female Nigerian on Billboard 200; Spotify follower and listener record-holder; MOBO record-breaker; platinum certifications; multi-million album sales; pioneering streaming dominance; cultural festival appearances. |
4. Fanbase, Identity & Cultural Resonance
Tems captivates with her soulful minimalism and mystique—drawing fans driven by emotional depth and artistic authenticity. Ayra Starr resonates with a younger, Gen Z demographic—radiating trendsetting fashion, fiery performances, and relatable charisma.
Ayra’s Afropop aesthetic makes her a cultural icon beyond music; Tems’ emotional poetry and subtle fashion sensibility position her as a visionary of introspective artistry.
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5. Who Wears the Crown?
The answer? Both do.
- Tems is the queen of soulful, introspective Afrobeats—her voice, artistry, and global respect articulate a matured influence.
- Ayra Starr is the queen of flashy, pop-infused Afrobeats—with streaming power, youthful energy, and chart-breaking momentum.
They represent different yet complementary rulebooks of modern Afrobeats—and together they rewrite the genre’s narrative.
Final Thoughts
Afrobeats is not a monolith—and neither are its queens. Tems and Ayra Starr exemplify the genre’s dynamism:
- Tems: the poetic trailblazer, drummer of introspection.
- Ayra Starr: the bold ambassador, channeling cultural currency and pop flare.
In 2025 and beyond, the real victory lies not in picking a winner—but celebrating that Afrobeats can be soulful and rhythmic, vulnerable and vibrant—thanks to both of these powerhouses.
Let’s Celebrate Her Majesty(s)
Whether you’re drawn to Tems’ deep lyricism or Ayra Starr’s magnetic sparkle, each artist crowns herself on impact alone. So tune in, admire their artistry, and let them both reign—because in the evolving story of Afrobeats, there’s room for more than one queen.
