Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Rema are my Afrobeats ‘Big 3’ — Ayra Starr

By Enitan Abdultawab

Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has shared her personal list of the greatest artistes in the genre, naming Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, and Rema as her “solid Big 3”.

The singer made the revelation during a recent interview with Hot 97 FM, where she was asked to identify the Afrobeats acts she considers the most influential in shaping the sound and global reach of the genre.

According to Starr,

“My Afrobeats Big 3 would be Tiwa Savage, Wizkid and Rema. My solid Big 3,” she said.

The ‘Rush’ crooner explained that her choices reflect the unique roles each of the musicians has played in the evolution of the genre. She described Tiwa Savage as a pioneering female figure whose success has helped open doors for women in an industry long dominated by male acts.

Her comments add a new dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding the label.

For years, the term “Big 3” has been used by fans and industry observers to refer to Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, largely due to their commercial dominance and global visibility.

However, the narrative has not been universally accepted within the music industry.

In September 2025, Tiwa Savage openly questioned the concept, arguing that it tends to overlook the achievements of several other successful Afrobeats stars.

According to Savage, artists such as Yemi Alade, Flavour, Asake, and Tems have also made significant contributions to the genre’s growth and global recognition. She suggested that the continued popularity of the “Big 3” label is largely driven by the powerful and highly active fan bases of the artists commonly associated with it.

Starr’s perspective, therefore, reflects the evolving nature of Afrobeats, where newer voices and different interpretations of influence continue to shape conversations about the genre’s most impactful figures.

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