In a post shared by @AyraStarr via her social media, the “Sabi Girl” has sparked a massive debate across the Nigerian music landscape by naming her personal “Big Three.” Ayra Starr listed Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, and Rema as the definitive trio currently leading the genre.
Noticeably absent from her list were industry titans Davido and Burna Boy, which has led to intense “stan war” activity on X (formerly Twitter). Fans of the omitted artists have been vocal about their displeasure, while others defend her right to highlight her own influences and peers.
Ayra’s inclusion of Tiwa Savage is being hailed as a much-needed acknowledgment of female contributions to the global Afrobeats explosion. Similarly, her nod to Rema reinforces the “Mavin” dominance and the shift toward the younger generation taking the reins of the industry.
This moment comes as Ayra Starr enjoys a career-high, with multiple Grammy nominations and a growing international discography. Her willingness to take a stand on the controversial “Big Three” topic shows a new level of confidence as she establishes herself as a leader in her own right.
* “Ayra Starr picks Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Rema as her ‘Afrobeats big three’.” — Leadership News (Nigerian Newspaper)
* “Mavin star Ayra Starr sparks debate with her Big 3 list including Rema and Tiwa.” — Pulse Nigeria (Media Outlet)
Echotitbits take: Ayra Starr is strategically positioning herself. By naming Tiwa Savage, she is signaling that the era of male-only “Big Three” lists is over. By naming Rema, she is backing her teammate. While Davido and Burna Boy fans are livid, this is a brilliant PR move that keeps her name at the center of the industry’s most popular debate.
Source: The Guardian — https://guardian.ng/life/ayra-starr-reveals-her-big-three-in-afrobeats/ March 13, 2026
Photo Credit: The Guardian
