Ayra Starr makes history again as ‘Bloody Samaritan’ earns UK silver certification
Four years after its release, Ayra Starr’s breakout hit Bloody Samaritan has earned a UK Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), marking another major international achievement for the Nigerian singer and songwriter.
The certification, awarded to songs that reach a significant sales and streaming threshold in the United Kingdom, becomes Ayra Starr’s second BPI-certified record and further underscores her growing global influence.
Released on July 30, 2021, as the lead single from her debut album 19 & Dangerous, Bloody Samaritan introduced Ayra Starr to the global music scene with its bold message of self-confidence and resilience. The track quickly became a fan favourite and remains one of the most successful songs from her debut project.
The song also gained wider international attention through an official remix featuring Grammy Award-winning American singer Kelly Rowland, a collaboration that highlighted Ayra Starr’s rising profile beyond Africa.
The latest certification reflects the song’s enduring appeal, demonstrating its continued commercial success years after its initial release. In the streaming era, songs can achieve milestones long after debuting, and Bloody Samaritan has continued to attract listeners across multiple markets.
With the achievement, Ayra Starr joins a growing list of Nigerian stars including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Asake, Tems, Rema, Omah Lay and CKay whose works have received BPI certifications, further illustrating the expanding global reach of Afrobeats.
The recognition comes amid another remarkable year for the Mavin Records star. Earlier in 2026, she won the Best International Act award at the MOBO Awards for the second consecutive year, becoming the first African artist to claim the honour back-to-back.
From a breakout debut single to a UK Silver-certified hit, Bloody Samaritan continues to cement its place as one of the defining Afrobeats records of its generation.
