Marianne Namshali Mdee

Ayra Starr becomes 1st Nigerian female artist to bag RIAA Latin Diamond certification with Santa

Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has emerged as the first Nigerian woman to earn a RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) Diamond certification. Ayra Starr’s ‘Santa’ earned her the coveted certification after it sold over 10 million units in the United States. Note that for an African artist or someone who makes music outside of North and South America to earn an RIAA Diamond certification, the artist must sell over 10 million units of a song in America within the Latino market. Additionally, the song must have been sung using a mix of Spanish and English. Influences of Afrobeats and Reggaeton are found in Ayra Starr’s RIAA-certified song, “Santa,” with the 22-year-old’s hit single featuring Puerto Rican singer and rapper Rauw Alejandro and Jamaican singer Tarik Johnston, commonly known as Rvssian. ‘Santa’ is a smash hit that captivates listeners with its lyrics and vibrant sound.