A new milestone has landed in the Afrobeats world. Within just eight hours of its drop, the music video for “WHO’S DAT GIRL” — by Ayra Sta...
A new milestone has landed in the Afrobeats world. Within just eight hours of its drop, the music video for “WHO’S DAT GIRL” — by Ayra Starr and Rema — hit one million views on YouTube, showcasing the duo’s fast-rising power. Think back to when Wizkid’s “Essence” exploded globally — this moment feels like the Nigerian female-male pairing version.
What started as a Tuesday release turned into a blitz. Nigerian music stars Ayra Starr and Rema teamed up under the legendary label Mavin Records to drop “WHO’S DAT GIRL”, and they didn’t just drop a song — they dropped a statement. Within eight hours, the official video crossed the one-million-views mark on YouTube.
Directed by the Nigerian-British visual auteur Meji Alabi, the clip is nothing short of spectacle: rich visuals, energetic styling and a chemistry between Ayra and Rema that made fans stop scrolling and start watching. “Ayra is a Starr,” one fan posted. Another chimed in: “Female collaborations don’t get bigger than this.”
Their performance isn’t just music—it’s culture meeting momentum. Ayra, with her ever-rising global aura, and Rema, already charted internationally, combine to give us a track that feels like a next-gen classic. Fans compared it to other breakthroughs: for example, when South African star Tyla’s “Water” crossed into global playlists and changed how we measured African pop success. This time, the proof is instant, local and loud.
There are varied reactions, of course. While many praise the visuals and vocals, others noted the absence of a heavy dance break. Some users wrote: “That bridge could have had a nasty choreography,” while others defended the treatment, arguing the focus remained on vocals and style.
But what’s undeniable: this kind of virality matters. In Nigeria’s digital era, where TikTok could make or kill a track in days, hitting one million views so quickly means algorithm-boost, social chatter and streaming numbers all kick up. For Ayra and Rema, it’s not just another hit—it’s a velocity indicator.
Such impact echoes earlier successes across African music. Remember when Burna Boy’s “Ye” became a viral anthem in Nigeria and then abroad? Or when South African amapiano tracks crossed over into Spotify US charts? These are moments that mark a shift. “WHO’S DAT GIRL” is positioning itself among them.
The commercial angle matters too. Villa promoters, brands and streaming platforms take note when numbers move this fast. For Ayra and Rema, the video is a gateway: endorsements, international tours, and collaborations lie in wait. Even for fans in Nigeria who missed the drop-time, the headline itself becomes the pull: “You’ve got to watch this.”
Conclusion
For Ayra Starr and Rema, “WHO’S DAT GIRL” isn’t just another release—it’s a landmark achievement. Hitting one million views in eight hours shows the hunger for fresh Afrobeats collaborations and marks a new chapter in their careers. Whether the track will go on to break even bigger records remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: this is how you dominate 2025.