Ayra Starr has once again stirred the conversation within the Afrobeats community, this time with her bold and personal take on the genre’s all-time greats.
In a candid interview on New York City’s iconic Hot 97 FM, the Mavin Records star—known for her breakout hits and magnetic stage presence—named her definitive “Afrobeats Big 3,” a title that traditionally sparks heated debates among fans and industry observers.
Without hesitation, she declared “Tiwa Savage,” “Wizkid,” and “Rema” as her “solid Big 3.”
“Tiwa Savage, obviously, Wizkid, and Rema. My solid Big 3,” she affirmed during the chat, which was part of her promotional rounds for her latest single, “Where Do We Go.”
The selection immediately raised eyebrows because it notably omitted two of the most frequently cited giants in the ongoing “Big 3” discourse: Burna Boy and Davido. For years, the phrase “Afrobeats Big 3” has almost reflexively referred to Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido—the trio credited with propelling the genre to global mainstream dominance through massive streams, sold-out arenas, and Grammy recognition.
Ayra Starr’s lineup, however, appears to reflect a more personal lens. Tiwa Savage, often hailed as the “Queen of Afrobeats,” represents the pioneering female force who blazed trails for a new generation of women in the industry, including Starr herself.
Wizkid, the self-proclaimed “Wiz” and one of the earliest Afrobeats exports to achieve worldwide crossover success, is a near-universal pick for his innovation and longevity.
Rema, the younger Mavin labelmate of Starr, embodies the vibrant, Gen-Z-driven evolution of the sound—fusing Afrobeats with trap, drill, and pop influences while racking up viral hits and international collaborations.
Fans and commentators wasted no time reacting online, with some praising Starr for highlighting female excellence and generational diversity, while others questioned the exclusion of Burna Boy’s Grammy-winning global impact and Davido’s record-breaking commercial dominance.
Social media threads quickly filled with memes, defenses, and counter-lists, underscoring how subjective yet passionate these rankings remain in Afrobeats culture.
As Ayra Starr continues to carve her path—balancing chart-topping releases, acting pursuits, and global tours—her outspoken choices remind the world that Afrobeats is no longer defined by a single narrative.
It’s a living, evolving genre shaped by individual perspectives, and few voices capture that spirit quite like the “sabi girl” herself. Whether her Big 3 becomes a new benchmark or simply fuels more lively debate, one thing is clear: Ayra Starr isn’t afraid to speak her truth.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Ayra Starr has boldly redefined the “Afrobeats Big 3” as Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, and Rema—a lineup that notably excludes the commonly accepted trio of Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido.
Her personal “solid Big 3” highlights Tiwa Savage‘s pioneering influence on female artists like herself and Rema’s rising generational force, showing that even within Afrobeats’ biggest debates, individual perspective and representation matter more than consensus.
