Year: 2025

Ayra Starr’s All-Black VMAs Look Was a Futuristic Fantasy We Didn’t See Coming

Somebody check on our mood boards because Ayra Starr just wrecked them—in the best way possible. The Afrobeats princess stepped onto the 2025 VMAs red carpet in New York and delivered an all-black look so sharp, so sleek, and so unapologetically bold, we’re still catching our breath. Let’s start with the pixie cut. Clean. Modern. Effortlessly chic. It had that “don’t play with me” energy, like the kind of hair you get when you’re booked and busy but still serving face. Honestly, we almost booked a salon appointment mid-show.   Now, the outfit. Whew. This bandeau-meets-armor situation was a textile masterpiece: alternating bands of black leather and sheer mesh stitched into futuristic perfection. That diagonal strap across her chest? Chef’s kiss. It was giving warrior princess on a fashion battlefield.   The matching high-waisted trousers sealed the deal. Same leather-and-mesh drama, same sculpted energy, just… flawless. Coordinated sets are clearly not going anywhere, and Ayra just reminded everyone how it’s done. Accessories? On point. Gold drop earrings against all that black were a stroke of genius, while strappy heels echoed the whole bandage-meets-power aesthetic. And the bold lip? The exclamation point we didn’t know we needed.   Sure, the night technically belonged to Tyla—who scooped her second consecutive Best Afrobeats award—but when it came to the red carpet, Ayra Starr left no crumbs. This look wasn’t just fashion, it was a statement: she’s that girl, and she knows it.

Tyla Just Did It Again: Best Afrobeats at the 2025 VMAs

At this point, should we start calling Tyla the face of Afrobeats at the VMAs? Because the South African superstar just scooped her second consecutive win in the category — this time for her addictive hit Push 2 Start. The ceremony, held at New York’s UBS Arena, turned into another career milestone for the 23-year-old, who first took home the trophy last year with Water. This year, she edged out a stacked line-up of Nigerian heavyweights including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Tems, and Asake — proving once again that her global takeover is only just beginning.   And while the award itself is major, Tyla also knew exactly how to make the red carpet her runway. She turned heads in a vintage ’90s Chanel dress that gave drama, elegance, and a touch of nostalgia — the kind of fashion statement that cements her status as both music and style’s next global force. Of course, the night was packed with other big wins: Lady Gaga dominated with four awards (including Artist of the Year), Ariana Grande snagged Video of the Year, and Mariah Carey accepted the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. But let’s be honest — Tyla’s back-to-back victory is the one that has Afrobeats fans everywhere celebrating.   Two years, two VMAs, and one unstoppable rise. Tyla isn’t just part of the Afrobeats conversation anymore — she is the conversation.