Sability

"Sability" is a song by Nigerian singer Ayra Starr. It was released on 10 February 2023, and was written by Ayra Starr, her brother Dami, Mbryo, Louddaaa, Johnny Drille, London, and Prosper Udu. The song was produced by London, and features a sample of Awilo Longomba's "Coupe Bibamba." "Sability" was featured on Barack Obama's summer playlist in 2023. It was included on OkayAfrica's list of the "Best Afrobeats Songs of 2023."

Reception

Tela Wangeci of the Native described "Sability" as a confident and powerful anthem, highlighting her growth as an artist. She noted that the song, marked by a catchy hook and bold lyrics, reflects Ayra's self-assurance and her ability to dominate Afropop with her unique "Sabi" attitude. Wangeci concluded, "'Sability' is a potent reminder that we should have faith in our abilities, triumphs, and potential."

Composition

Described by Ayra Starr herself as a "happy song," "Sability" blends a relaxed and upbeat vibe with her referencing figures like Japanese footballer Shinji Kagawa. The song's verses are delivered with a playful energy, while the hook, which incorporates a sample from Awilo Logomba's "Coupé Bibamba," adds a dynamic layer to the track. ''The Guardian'' noted that the hook contrasts with the overall tone of the song, potentially altering its intended effect.

Music video

The music video for "Sability" was released on 19 February 2023. It was directed by Earthboi.

Commercial performance

"Sability" debuted at No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 on 21 February 2023, earning 3.42 million on-demand streams and 38.3 million in radio reach during its first tracking week. This marked Ayra Starr's fourth chart-topping entry on the Top 100, following "Bloody Samaritan," " Rush," and "Won Da Mo," solidifying her position as the only female artist with multiple No. 1 songs in Nigeria at the time. In its second week, the song slipped to No. 2, overtaken by Bnxn's "Gwagwalada." Despite the dip, "Sability" remained a strong performer across streaming platforms, ranking No. 3 on the streaming chart with 2.36 million streams and achieving a radio reach of 42.6 million.

By 15 March 2023, "Sability" had dropped to No. 5 after spending one week at the summit. The song's decline continued in subsequent weeks, and by 29 March 2023, it had fallen to No. 7 on the chart. By April, it exited the Top 10, concluding its chart run after a notable debut and consistent performances across both streaming and radio platforms.

On 11 April 2024, Ayra Starr's track "Sability" reentered the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, taking the 47th spot. The song previously peaked at number 14, marking it as the sole entry on the chart for that week.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{Ayra Starr

Ayra Starr songs
2023 songs
2023 singles
Songs in Yoruba
Mavin Records singles
Number-one singles in Nigeria