21: The World Tour
| World tour by Ayra Starr | |
Promotional poster | |
| Location |
|
|---|---|
| Associated album | 19 & Dangerous |
| Start date | 27 July 2023 |
| End date | 30 November 2023 |
| Legs | 4 |
| No. of shows | 40 |
| Ayra Starr concert chronology | |
21: The World Tour was the debut concert tour by Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, in support of her debut studio album 19 & Dangerous (2021). The tour commenced on 27 July 2023 in Houston, Texas, with the North American leg, followed by dates across Africa and Australia, and concluded with performances throughout Europe in November 2023. Starr described the tour as both significant and "bittersweet," marking her transition from opening act at festivals and supporting other artists to headlining her own shows, while acknowledging the challenges of being away from home and family.
The tour spanned approximately 40 stops across four continents. It marked a milestone for Afrobeats internationally, establishing Starr as the youngest African female artist to headline a global tour. It coincided with the breakout success of her hit single "Rush", which became the most streamed solo song by a Nigerian female artist on Spotify and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards. Prior to the tour's official launch, Starr had been scheduled to perform in Berlin, Copenhagen and Bergen in June that year; however, visa complications forced her to cancel those appearances. While Bergen was not rescheduled, the other cities were later reintegrated into the tour's European leg in November.
The show's setlist consisted primarily of songs from 19 & Dangerous, including the hit singles "Rush" and "Bloody Samaritan," as well as tracks from her self-titled EP Ayra Starr (2021) and popular collaborations including "2 Sugar" with Wizkid. Starr's performances showcased her signature fashion-forward aesthetic and bold stage presence, with critics noting her "vibrant vibrato" matched the quality of her studio recordings. The tour received overwhelmingly positive reception, with reviewers praising her vocal performance, energy, and synergy with her band. Many venues reported sold-out shows, and Starr was noted for her extensive audience interaction, including stepping off stage to engage directly with fans.