If anyone told teenager Oyinkonsola Sarah Aderigbe, now known as Arya Starr, from Sango Ota in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria that she’d be the first Nigerian female artiste to cross a billion views on YouTube, she might have nudged it off, or even laughed at the possibility of that happening. Fast-forward to May 2025. Arya Starr, the Marvin Record breakout star, hit that milestone. She’s not just nominated for BET Award this year; she’s now part of the elite club of African artistes turning streams stats into what cultural power.

How exactly does a girl from the quiet Ogun suburbs become a billion-view sensation?

Also Read: Ayra Starr ‘Sability’ has locked down the internet

The Gen Z anthem and the Gen Z strategy

Arya isn’t just an artiste but one that represents a new kind of Nigerian pop star, one that isn’t defined by her raw vocals but by vision. Her breakout single Away (2021) didn’t just introduce her unique voice, but became a street anthem. Away was Afro-soul with Gen Z angst. It was moody yet bold. And as Gen Zs will typically say, “it hit different”.

Stats from YouTube analytics via Chartmetric show that Arya Starr’s channel grew by over 500 percent in subscribers between 2021 and 2024, driven mainly by her visually rich and captivating videos like Rush, Sability, and Bloody Samaritans, that not only came with a trendy dance but captured the ears and eyes. By 2025, Rush alone had clocked over 250 million views, becoming one of the most viral sounds on Tiktok across the country.

BET’s, Billion Views, and Breaking Boxes

At just 21, Arya Starr is the first Nigerian female Nigerian artiste to cross the borders of a billion views on YouTube, an achievement previously dominated by Afrobeat giants like Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid.

She’s been nominated for the 2025 BET Best International Act, making it clear that Nigerian women in music are not playing anymore; they are headlining.

This rise challenges the longstanding underrepresented women in Nigeria mainstream music. For years, female artistes were either boxed into soulful singers or sidelined. Arya Star broke that box by singing about everything, from heartbreak to ambition in style that is unapologetic, feminine and bold.

Also Read: Afrobeats, Raising the glass to local content gone global

Fashioned For Disruption

If Arya didn’t get famous for her music, then it would probably be for her fashion statement. From micro miniskirts to edgy crop tops and statement boots, her wardrobe choices often became the talk of the town with everyone labeling it, “Arya Starr Skirt.” Even the ladies adopted her style to their wardrobe, which allowed her to stay talked about.

This ripple effect wasn’t an accident, Arya Starr style became part of her story: Rebellious, confident, and unbothered. It wasn’t just what she wore but how she wore it. She owned the look till her fashion became her identity.

For young Nigerian women growing up in a society still grappling with bodily autonomy and double standard, Arya Starr definitely became a form of soft resistance. She not only wore cloths, she wore freedom.

The power of Local Roots, Global Reach

What makes Arya’s Story even more interesting is her attachment to her Nigerian identity. Her Yoruba name, her use of pidgin in lyrics, and her bold braids are symbols of her local roots. She’s not trying to fit in but setting standard.

From recording in Don Jazzy’s Marvin Studio in Lagos to performing on international stages in Paris and Atlanta, Arya Starr represents a modern Nigerian export.

A billion views are static but it is also a signal that Nigerian women, even from small towns, can dominate global charts and afrobeats isn’t a boys club. And when you mix talent with a digital savvy team, compelling visuals, audacious fashion, and your authentic self, the sky isn’t a limit but a starting point.

Anita Chinedu