Afrobeats powerhouse Ayra Starr lit up Central Park’s Great Lawn on September 27, commanding the stage at the 2025 Global Citizen Festival with the confidence and energy that have made her one of Africa’s brightest global exports.
She opened with her breakout hit “Bloody Samaritan” before powering through fan favorites like “Woman Commando,” “Gimme Dat,” and her sultry new single “Hot Body.” She kept the crowd on its feet with “Sability” and her Grammy-nominated smash “Rush,” before closing with a soulful mash-up of “All the Love” and Coldplay’s “Strawberry Swing.”
The night hit another level when Starr surprised fans by bringing out Rema. The pair’s joint run of “Rush,” “Calm Down,” and “Baby (Is It a Crime)” sent the audience into a frenzy. As the stage dimmed, they both urged the crowd to raise their phone lights in solidarity with communities in Africa lacking reliable electricity; a striking reminder of the festival’s mission beyond the music.
Away from the spotlight, Starr also sparked headlines with a warm backstage meeting with Cardi B, this year’s Global Citizen headliner. Clips shared across Instagram, Threads and X showed the two artists embracing and chatting. Fans noted it wasn’t just a quick greeting; the women spoke at length, trading mutual admiration. Ayra expressed gratitude to Cardi for showing her new single ‘Hot Body’ so much love, and Cardi cheered Ayra, saying all her songs are smash hits.
Cardi B, who stepped in to replace The Weeknd as this year’s headliner, has aligned her presence at the festival with causes spanning energy equity, rainforest protection, and education. Global Citizen’s annual festival, staged alongside the United Nations General Assembly, drew more than 60,000 people to Central Park. Beyond the star-studded line-up, its goal remains ambitious: driving awareness and policy change on global poverty, climate, and access to essential resources.
For Ayra Starr, the night was more than a performance. It was a statement of intent, of Afrobeats’ place on the world stage and of a new generation of African voices using their spotlight for change.
