Four years after its release, Ayra Starr’s breakout single “Bloody Samaritan” has earned a UK Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry, adding another international milestone to one of Afrobeats’ most enduring debut singles.
The certification, awarded by the BPI, recognises tracks that have reached a significant threshold of sales and streams in the United Kingdom. For Ayra Starr, it is her second BPI certification, and it comes on the back of an already strong run of international recognition for the 23-year-old Mavin Records singer.
Released on 30 July 2021 as the lead single off her debut album 19 & Dangerous, “Bloody Samaritan” announced Ayra Starr to the world with a confidence that felt anything but new.
The song also has the rare distinction of attracting a high-profile remix. Kelly Rowland, the Grammy-winning American singer, joined Ayra Starr on an official version of the track, a collaboration that extended the song’s reach and signalled just how seriously the global music industry was beginning to take the young Lagos-born artist.
That the single is now earning certifications four years after its release speaks to its staying power. Streaming has made it possible for songs to accumulate recognition over a longer arc, and “Bloody Samaritan” has clearly continued to find new listeners well past its release window.
Ayra Starr joins a growing list of Nigerian artists who have received BPI Silver certifications in the UK. Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Asake, Tems, Rema, Omah Lay, and CKay have all received similar recognition for various projects and singles, reflecting the continued commercial penetration of Afrobeats in the British music market.
The certification arrives at a strong moment for the singer. Earlier this year, she claimed Best International Act at the 2026 MOBO Awards for the second consecutive year, becoming the first African artist to win the category back-to-back.
From a debut single to a BPI Silver, “Bloody Samaritan” is still doing the work.
