What You Missed This Weekend: Ayra Starr, NFL Halftime Show

From Ayra Starr’s major NFL announcement to Davido’s radio dominance and Tekno’s Afrobeats debate, here is the entertainment gist you missed.

By Gladius Elizabeth
Music & Entertainment Writer, MAX 102.3 FM
Published: August 31, 2026

 

If you stepped away from the entertainment scene this weekend, there is plenty to catch up on. From Ayra Starr securing a major NFL halftime performance to a fresh debate about the roots of Afrobeats, the weekend delivered several stories that kept music fans talking.

The Biggest Gist

The biggest headline came from Ayra Starr, who will headline the halftime show at the 2026 NFL London Game on October 11.

The Nigerian singer will perform when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The NFL confirmed the booking as part of its international games programme, giving Starr another major platform to showcase Afrobeats to an international audience.

Moreover, the announcement arrives during her Starrgirl era, following the release of her third studio album in August. As a result, the NFL performance adds another significant international moment to an already busy period in her career.

The Music Scene

Meanwhile, Davido’s “B4 B4” featuring Mayorkun and FOLA continued its strong run on Nigerian radio.

According to TheCable Lifestyle’s weekly radio picks, the song held the number one position for a third consecutive week. At the same time, Zinoleesky’s “Dantata” and Famous Pluto’s “Tap Am” entered the chart at numbers four and five respectively.

Additionally, Ayra Starr and ZAYN’s “Heaven Baby”, Asake’s “Gratitude” and Rema’s “TEA” featured among the week’s leading songs.

For MAX FM listeners, therefore, the radio numbers offer another snapshot of what is currently moving strongly across the Nigerian music scene.

The Conversation

However, the weekend was not only about chart positions and major performances.

Tekno reignited a long-running conversation about the history of Afrobeats after questioning the idea that Fela Anikulapo-Kuti should receive sole credit for the genre’s origins.

While Tekno acknowledged Fela’s enormous influence, he also referenced highlife musicians such as Oliver De Coque and other Nigerian artists who contributed to the country’s rich musical heritage.

Consequently, his comments have renewed discussions about how Nigeria should document and describe the evolution of its music.

The Global Gist

Elsewhere, Afrobeats faced another major international development.

The MTV Video Music Awards removed the Best Afrobeats category from its 2026 nominations, just three years after introducing it. Rema and Tyla previously won the award during its short run.

Although MTV has not publicly explained why it removed the category, the decision has created another talking point around the international recognition of Afrobeats.

Why It Matters

Taken together, the weekend’s stories show how Nigerian music continues to occupy important spaces in global entertainment.

On one hand, Ayra Starr will take Afrobeats to an NFL audience in London. On the other hand, Tekno’s comments show that conversations about the genre’s history remain very much alive.

So, which story caught your attention this weekend?

Was it Ayra Starr’s major NFL booking, Davido’s continued radio dominance, Tekno’s Afrobeats debate, or MTV’s decision to remove the dedicated category?

Whatever your answer, keep coming back to the MAX 102.3 FM website for the stories behind the entertainment headlines. You may hear the gist on air, but we will always bring you the full story online.