The Year I Turned 21

''The Year I Turned 21'' is the second studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr. It was released through Mavin Records on 31 May 2024. The album contains guest appearances from Asake, Anitta, Coco Jones, Giveon, Seyi Vibez, Rvssian, and Rauw Alejandro. It serves as the follow-up to her previous album, ''19 & Dangerous'' (2021). The album debuted at number one in Nigeria.

Background and release

Ayra Starr announced the title of her second studio album, "The Year I Turned 21", on 2 May 2024, along with its cover art and tracklist. The album was conceived during a period of personal growth and introspection.
In an interview with ''Billboard'', Starr revealed that the album was inspired by her experiences navigating adulthood, love, and self-discovery. The album was recorded over several months in 2022 and 2023, with production credits from notable producers such as London, Johnny Drille, and P.Priime. Starr drew inspiration from Afrobeats, R&B, and pop to create a unique sound reflecting her artistic evolution. The title "The Year I Turned 21" holds personal significance, as Starr turned 21 during the recording process. In an interview with ''Uproxx'', she explained that the title represents a milestone birthday that marked a turning point in her life and career. The album was released on 31 May 2024 through Mavin Records. She stated in an interview with triple J that she grew inspiration from the grief she felt about losing her father, and on how she has never touched that kind of perspective before.

Singles

The single "Rhythm and Blues" was released on 13 September 2023 as the first single from the album. Later, "Commas" was released on 2 February 2024, as the second single.

Critical reception

Tamil Makinde of ''NME'' stated that "Starr confidently blends genres, segueing from romantic deep cuts to emotional odes about her roots, produced by the likes of Louddaaa. She weaves a narrative thread through a collage of sounds with adept storytelling. In tracks like "Lagos Love Story", she flirts with reckless romance, while in "Last Heartbreak Song", an R&B-powered duet with Giveon, she finds the strength to move on. In "The Kids Are Alright", she weaves intergenerational conversations, and each track radiates a clear vision". Kadish Morris of ''The Guardian'' gave the album 4/5 stars, praising Starr's vocal range and experimentation with various sounds and cadences, stating: "Here, she puts that big voice to work. Adeayo Adebiyi of ''Pulse Nigeria'' gave the album a 9.1/10 rating, stating that "The Year I Turned 21" is an accomplished sophomore effort that excels in all aspects, showcasing Ayra Starr's confidence and superior talent.

Track listing

Note
* signifies an additional producer

Personnel

Musicians
* Ayra Starr – vocals
* Asake – vocals (track 2)
* Anitta – vocals (track 4)
* Coco Jones – vocals (track 4)
* Prosper Agha Odu – guitar (track 9)
* Giveon – vocals (track 9)
* Ufot Godwin – guitar (track 11)
* Femi Olawoyin – violin (track 11)
* Milar – vocals (track 13)
* Rauw Alejandro – vocals (track 15)

Technical
* Johnny Drille – mixing (all tracks), engineering (tracks 3, 7, 13, 14)
* Chris Gehringer – mastering (track 15)
* London – engineering (tracks 1, 6)
* Marvey Again – engineering (tracks 1, 4, 8, 14)
* Marelenius – engineering (track 2)
* Jake Prein – engineering (track 4)
* Wonda – engineering (track 8)
* Louddaaa – engineering (tracks 9, 11)
* Kenobi – engineering (track 15)
* Rvssian – engineering (track 15)

Accolades

Charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Year I Turned 21
2024 albums
Ayra Starr albums
Mavin Records albums
Albums produced by P.Priime
Albums produced by Louddaaa
Albums produced by London (record producer)