Ayra Movement

Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe (born 14 June 2002), known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter born in Benin Republic. She achieved mainstream international recognition in 2022, with the release of her hit song " Rush". The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It earned Starr a nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.

In early 2021, Starr began her career with the release of her eponymous debut extended play and its lead single "Away", which spent two consecutive weeks at number four on Nigeria's ''TurnTable'' Top 50 chart; the song also peaked at number 17 on the ''Billboard'' Top Triller Global chart. It was followed by the release of her debut studio album, ''19 & Dangerous'' (2021). Categorized mainly as Afropop and R&B, it received favorable critical reception and spawned two top forty hits in Nigeria. The lead single "Bloody Samaritan" peaked atop the Top 50 chart, becoming the first solo song by a female artist to reach the number-one position. In August the same year, Starr was ranked number three on ''Billboard''s Next Big Sound.

In 2024, Starr released her second album, ''The Year I Turned 21''.

Early life

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe was born on 14 June 2002 in Cotonou, Benin and grew up there and in Lagos, Nigeria. She is a Nigerian and of the Yoruba ethnicity. Both her parents are from Kwara State. Her family moved frequently during her high school years because of her father's business and as a result she had a hard time forming close friendships.

Having been raised in a music-loving family, her interest in singing comes mostly from her family. At the age of 10, she sang in a high school choir and began writing songs with her brother. She attended Les Cours Sonou University and received a BA degree in international relations and political science. During her college years, she was often bullied by her classmates because of her age and appearance. To counter the feelings, she experienced from being taunted, Starr turned to music. "I would listen to Nicki Minaj on my way to school and I'd feel like the second Nicki Minaj." Starr's mother was very supportive of her musical ambitions and always encouraged her to pursue a singing career.

Career

2018–2020: Career beginnings

In August 2018, Starr was signed with Quove Models, a modelling agency based in Lagos. From there, she modelled for companies such as Mazelle Studio, Complete Fashion Magazine and Esperanza Woman. In 2019, she began posting covers of songs by artists like Andra Day and 2Face Idibia online. She chose her stage name because in her words, "it means woke and eye-opening and that's what I stand for." She appeared in the music video for Eri Ife's song "Dear Future Wife". In December 2019, she uploaded an original song called "Damage" on her Instagram page. This was heard by thousands of people including label executive Don Jazzy and led to her first recording contract with Mavin Records.

In 2020, she started recording at Mavin Studios in Lagos with producers Louddaaa and Don Jazzy.

2021–2023: ''Ayra Starr'' and ''19 & Dangerous''

Her self-titled debut extended play was released on 22 January 2021 through Mavin Records. The album has been described as "a topsy-turvy chronicle of love or love-themed situations" and "merges elements of R&B/neo-soul with Afropop percussion." Starr said her intention with the record was to make music that would resonate with both young and old listeners. The mixing and mastering of the EP was by Ikon, Louddaaa and Johnny Drille. Starr wrote one of the songs on the EP alone and co-wrote the remaining four with her brother Dami. Shortly after its release, the EP became the number-one album on Nigeria iTunes and Apple Music. As of March 2021, it has reached the same position on Apple Music in 4 other countries, racking up over 15 million streams across Spotify, YouTube and Audio Mack. The project spawned the hit track "Away" which peaked at number four on Nigeria's ''TurnTable'' Top 50 and number 17 on US ''Billboard'' Top Triller Global. Its accompanying music video also debuted on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10. ''OkayAfrica'' included the song in their list of ''The 9 Best Nigerian Songs of January 2021''. Starr released remix versions of "Ija" and "Away" featuring Tokimonsta and Lilo respectively between March and April. Around the same time, Crayon's EP ''Twelve A.M'' was released with her vocals on the track "In Sync." She performed at the "UC Berkeley" Nigerian Students Association virtual culture show titled The Olori Awards. In April 2021, the official music video for her song "DITR" was released on YouTube via Mavin. In June 2021, the music video for another song titled "Sare", was released. Both music videos were directed by Afolabi Olalekan.

On 11 July 2021, Starr performed for the season finale of ''Nigerian Idol''. On 6 August 2021, her debut studio album, titled ''19 & Dangerous'' was released. For the album, she worked with her previous collaborators Louddaaa and Don Jazzy, both of whom contributed production on her EP ''Ayra Starr'', and new collaborators, London and Andre Vibez. The album marked her first time recording alongside guest artists such as Fousheé and CKay. It was met with favorable critical reception with most critics characterizing its sound as primarily Afropop and R&B. It spawned two top forty hits on the ''TurnTable'' Top 50, the highest being "Bloody Samaritan", its lone single, which became Starr's first number-one single on the chart. The song climbed the Top 50 for several weeks, and, on the chart dated 27 September 2021, it reached the number one spot, making Starr the first female artist to do so with a solo single. She debuted on Pandora Predictions chart and on 28 August 2021, she ranked number two on the ''Billboard''s Next Big Sound. She was featured on "in the light", a track on Johnny Drille's '' Before We Fall Asleep''. In September 2021, she was named brand ambassador for Pepsi Nigeria. The following day, Starr performed during a live eviction episode of ''Big Brother Naija''. She collaborated with Cheque on "Dangerous", the second track on his album ''Bravo''. At the 8th African Muzik Magazine Awards, she was nominated for Best Newcomer award. In March 2022, Starr was named "Up Now" by music streaming service Audiomack.

On 16 September 2022, Starr released " Rush" as part of the deluxe of ''19 & Dangerous''. The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It became the most streamed solo song by a Nigerian female artist on Spotify and propelled her to become the youngest African female artist to surpass 100 million views on a single YouTube video; and also earned Starr her first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance. On 10 November 2022, Starr featured on "2 Sugar", a track from Wizkid's fifth studio album '' More Love, Less Ego.'' The song reached number 1 on Billboard's Hot Trending, and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. On 4 March 2023, Starr took to social media to announce her music was used as part of the soundtrack for the film ''Creed III''. On 13 July 2023, Starr announced that she would headling her first world tour titled "21: The World Tour". The tour included 40 stops across North America, Africa, Europe and Australia. On 27 October 2023, she was featured on the David Guetta single "Big FU", along with rapper Lil Durk. It reached No. 23 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs and No. 18 on New Zealand Top 40 charts.

2024–present: ''The Year I Turned 21''

In late 2023, Starr began working on her second studio album, ''The Year I Turned 21''. The project marked a significant evolution in her craft, reflecting themes of self-discovery, love, grief and empowerment. Starr explained that the album title was inspired by her transition into adulthood, describing it as "not just about the age, but about the growth, self-discovery, and lessons I’ve learned along the way." Recording sessions took place at Mavin Studios in Lagos and continued into 2024, with contributions from longtime collaborators Louddaaa, London, and Johnny Drille, as well as Grammy-nominated producer Rvssian. Starr described the recording process as "a journey of experimentation and self-expression, where I allowed myself to be vulnerable."

During the album’s development, Starr began building momentum with notable opportunities and partnerships. On March 5, 2024, American R&B artist Chris Brown announced that Starr would be one of the opening acts for his 2024 11:11 tour in North America, solidifying her international presence. The following month, on April 8, 2024, Jamaican record producer Rvssian released the single "Santa," a collaboration with Starr and reggaeton artist Rauw Alejandro. The track became a viral hit, fusing Afropop, reggaeton, and dancehall influences. It also propelled Starr to become the first female Nigerian artist to reach 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify. During the same month, Starr attended a Fenty event in London, where she met Rihanna. Their interaction, captured in a widely circulated video snippet, sparked speculation about a potential collaboration. Rihanna, who had discovered Starr’s music through her cousin, expressed admiration for Starr and inquired about working with her and Tems. Starr later commented on the interaction, expressing her excitement about Rihanna’s interest and her openness to working with both artists in the future.

Ahead of TYIT21’s release, Starr dropped several singles. "Rhythm & Blues," released on September 13, 2023, delved into themes of romance and nostalgia, while "Commas," released on February 2, 2024, highlighted confidence and financial independence. "Santa," released on April 8, 2024, became a standout track, praised for its lively rhythm and playful lyrics. Each single was accompanied by visually striking music videos directed by leading African creatives, building anticipation for the full album. ''The Year I Turned 21'' was officially released on May 31, 2024, through Mavin Records. The album features collaborations with artists such as Seyi Vibez, Coco Jones, Giveon, Asake, Anitta and Rauw Alejandro. Tracks like "Woman Commando," featuring Coco Jones and Anitta, highlight Starr’s ability to merge Afrobeat rhythms with Western pop styles. Reflecting on the collaborations, she stated, "Each artist brought something unique, pushing me to explore new sides of my artistry."

Upon its release, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Nigerian Albums Chart and entered the ''Billboard'' 200 at No. 195, making Starr the first Nigerian female artist to achieve this milestone. Critics praised its innovative production and cohesive storytelling. ''Pitchfork'' described the album as "a bold and reflective work that redefines modern Afropop." Tracks like "21" received acclaim for their emotional depth, while "The Kids Are Alright" featured voice notes from Starr’s family, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into her personal life. To support the album, Starr embarked on The 21 Tour, performing across Africa, Europe, and North America. Her performances and stage appearances received widespread acclaim. Speaking with ''The Guardian'', Starr shared, "This tour feels like a celebration of everything the album stands for—growth, resilience, and connection." Critics highlighted ''The Year I Turned 21'' as a defining moment in Starr's career, with ''Billboard'' praising its "universal themes of growth and ambition that resonate across cultures."

Starr collaborated with Coldplay on the song "Good Feelings" from Coldplay's album ''Moon Music'' and was a supporting act for the band’s Music of the Spheres World Tour in Australia and New Zealand.

Artistry

Musical style

Although musically diverse, Starr's sound has predominantly been categorized as Afropop and R&B. Her voice has been described in the media as "silky", "cozy", "delicate", "sturdy", "arresting" and "soulful", with music critics noting the dynamic nature of her range and emotional delivery. Her lyrics are a mixture of English, Nigerian Pidgin English and Yoruba, often exploring contemporary topics such as love, relationships, empowerment and freedom.

With the release of her debut eponymous EP, some critics felt that her vocal technique bore a striking resemblance to Tems' musical style. In an interview with Cool FM, Starr spoke about comparisons to Tems: "I'm a young artist and Tems is an amazing musician, for people to compare me to such an amazing musician, it's a compliment and I'm honoured." Motolani Alake, reviewing the EP for ''Pulse'' wrote that "Ayra Starr isn't exactly a replica of Tems, but when she manipulates her vocals to stress the final syllable on words, sentences and cadences by flexing her octaves, she definitely sounds like Tems." Alake also opined that both artists are different and that "Tems can be more alternative while Starr is more Nigerian and more Afropop with more lamba in her soul." '' Schön! Magazine''s Thandie Sibanda called the EP "a coming-of-age jukebox." Karen Chalamilla of ''The Floor'' remarked that ''Ayra Starr'' "not only solidifies the singer/songwriter as a standout vocalist, but also serves as an acute window into her artistic sensibilities."

Her debut album, ''19 & Dangerous'', explored mainly afropop and R&B but also introduced influences from neo-soul, jazz, and EDM. Critics praised her genre-fluid approach, with Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of ''Music In Africa'' noting that she "can work across genres while not quite sounding like anybody else." Starr’s ability to blend multiple musical influences while maintaining her unique sound has become a hallmark of her artistry. This versatility is also exemplified in her second studio album, ''The Year I Turned 21'', where she takes on a range of genres and styles. Bisi Ademola of African Folder, described it as a "not-too-ambitious, not-too-experimental" second effort. Despite these mixed reviews, the album has received acclaim for its incorporation of Afrobeats, Highlife, Amapiano, and UK-leaning vibes, as noted by Adeayo Adebiyi of ''Pulse Nigeria''. ''The Year I Turned 21'' adopts a more introspective tone than her previous work, navigating themes of self-discovery and independence. Kadish Morris of ''The Guardian'' pointed out that while the album creates "sultry soundscapes," some tracks feel short, pulling the listener out before fully immersing in the mood. Songs like "Freedom" and "Desire" highlight her fusion of African rhythms with Western pop, while tracks like "Let Me In" showcase her emotional depth and vocal range.

Influences

Starr grew up in a musically inclined family. She considers her mother, a former singer and her brother Dami, a guitarist and songwriter as her earliest inspirations for her interest in a music career. Growing up between Bénin and Nigeria, she was exposed to different cultures that influenced her perspective on life and her personality. Starr and Dami began writing songs from a very young age under the tutelage of their mother and aunt. She had wanted to make a real career out of singing since age 10 but her father encouraged her to complete her education first.

In her interviews for local and international media, she stated that throughout her childhood, she had a wide range of musical influences, including 2Face Idibia, Wande Coal, Angélique Kidjo, Lijadu Sisters and Tope Alabi and in college, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Sia and Tiwa Savage. She credited Shakira as her biggest influence vocally along with Beyoncé, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus: "It was just the power I would feel listening to their music. We didn't get a lot of Nigerian female singers singing strongly about things like them, not as we do now." Lyrically, she admires Aṣa and has said that she "wrote so beautifully ndwas one of those people hewould listen to just to learn how to write properly."

Public image

Since her rise to fame in 2021 with her debut EP ''Ayra Starr'' and the viral success of "Bloody Samaritan," Starr has emerged not only as a musical sensation but also as a fashion icon and a voice for young Africans. Her public image is shaped by a blend of Afropop star power, bold fashion choices, and a deep connection with her audience. Starr's sense of style has been a prominent part of her identity, earning her a reputation as a fashion-forward artist. During the release of her debut album, ''19 & Dangerous'', her wardrobe strategy began drawing comparisons to other contemporary artists. Among these, some commentators drew parallels to fellow Nigerian artist Tems. Writing for ''Pulse Nigeria'', Temi Iwalaiye noted that while both artists embrace alluring personalities, Starr’s wardrobe often leans toward youthful,
Y2K-inspired trends, characterized by crop tops, micro-skirts, and radiant colors. With a blend of Alté subculture and worldly flair, Starr has been described by ''OkayAfrica'' as creating “a modern take on nostalgic fashion” that connects across borders. Her debut appearance at Paris Fashion Week in 2023, attending major shows such as Balenciaga, Off-White, and Casablanca, marked her entry into high fashion. Critics have lauded her for seamlessly blending cultures, noting her ability to take creative risks. According to ''BellaNaija'', Starr's "fearless approach to fashion" distinguishes her in the Afrobeats scene, mixing her personal tastes with avant-garde designs. At the 2024 Grammy Awards, Starr stunned audiences with her custom crystal bralette and miniskirt, a look designed by Janice Munenge. ''Pulse Nigeria'' also commented that her "youthful and sultry style was a highlight of the red carpet," reflecting her ongoing experimentation with fashion while staying true to her roots. Speaking about her style, Starr told ''BellaNaija'', "Fashion is about storytelling, just like music. I’m constantly exploring new ways to express myself". Her music and image resonate strongly with Gen Z audiences, particularly for her openness about self-expression and empowerment. In an interview with ''Euphoriazine'', Starr explained, "I want my fans to feel seen through my music, to know that their stories matter". This authenticity has helped her build a loyal fanbase, with millions following her on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where she frequently shares behind-the-scenes content and personal reflections of her life.

Activism

In August 2022, Starr was at the center of a public discussion regarding her stance on LGBTQ+ issues. This began when she responded to a fan on social media who questioned if her song "Cast (Gen Z Anthem)" was intended for LGBTQ+ listeners. Starr affirmed that her music is for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. In May 2024, Starr sparked significant discussion following her open embrace of LGBTQ+ fans during a concert in Brazil. During the event, she was seen waving the rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and expressing solidarity with her LGBTQ+ audience. This gesture was met with mixed reactions from fans and the public. Some lauded her for her inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ rights, while others criticized her actions, reflecting the controversial nature of LGBTQ+ issues within Nigerian society.

Other ventures

In September 2021, Starr became a brand ambassador for Pepsi Nigeria.

Starr was featured in the October 2021 issue of Accelerate TV's ''The Cover''. Starr was featured in the Fall/Winter 2021 issue of ''ODDA''. In 2021, she appeared in a ''Notion'' editorial.

Acting

In 2024 she made her acting debut in the movie Christmas in Lagos, appearing as herself. She will also star on upcoming American Action Thriller film Children of Blood and Bone directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood based on the novel by the same name.

Discography

Studio albums
*''19 & Dangerous'' (2021)
*''The Year I Turned 21'' (2024)

Tours

Opening act
* Chris Brown - The 11:11 Tour (2024)
* Coldplay – Music of the Spheres World Tour (2024–2025)

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

Official website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Starr, Ayra
2002 births
Living people
Nigerian soul singers
Nigerian women pop singers
Nigerian contemporary R&B singers
Nigerian women singer-songwriters
21st-century Nigerian singer-songwriters
21st-century Nigerian women singers
Singers from Lagos
Yoruba women musicians
Yoruba-language singers of Benin
Yoruba-language singers of Nigeria
English-language singers from Nigeria
English-language singers of Benin
Nigerian Afrobeats musicians
Beninese people of Nigerian descent
People from Cotonou