The biography of Ayra has become a trending topic in the entertainment industry. On July 11, 2021, Ayra Starr showcased her talent at the season finale of Nigerian Idol, captivating audiences with her mesmerizing performance. A month later, on August 6, 2021, she unveiled her debut studio album titled “19 & Dangerous.”
Collaborating with her trusted partners Lauda and Don Jazzy, who had previously worked on her EP “Ayra Starr,” as well as new talents like London and Andre Vibez, Ayra crafted a collection of tracks that seamlessly blended Afropop and R&B vibes.
This album marked a significant milestone for Ayra as she ventured into new territory, featuring guest artists such as Fousheé and CKay for the first time. Critics praised the album for its refreshing sound and infectious melodies, with standout tracks like “Bloody Samaritan” soaring to the top of the charts. In fact, “Bloody Samaritan” made history by becoming Ayra’s first solo single to reach the number one spot on the TurnTable Top 50 chart, solidifying her status as a rising star in the music industry.
Her success didn’t stop there. Ayra’s talent caught the attention of major brands, leading to her being named the brand ambassador for Pepsi Nigeria in September 2021. She continued to showcase her versatility by collaborating with artists like Cheque on the track “Dangerous,” which was featured on his album “Bravo.”
Ayra Starr Songs
Ayra’s star continued to rise in the international music scene. On November 10, 2022, she featured on “2 Sugar,” a track from Wizkid’s acclaimed album “More Love, Less Ego,” which topped the Billboard’s Hot Trending chart and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. Her influence extended beyond music when her music was selected as the soundtrack for the blockbuster American action movie, Creed III, announced on March 4, 2023.
The momentum didn’t stop there. On October 27, 2023, Ayra joined forces with David Guetta and Lil Durk on the electrifying track “Big FU,” blending house and Afrobeat influences to create a sensational hit that resonated with audiences worldwide. Ayra’s journey from Nigerian Idol to international collaborations exemplifies her remarkable talent and unstoppable rise to fame in the music industry.
Ayra Starr Musical style
On July 11, 2021, Ayra Starr performed on the finale of Nigerian Idol, a big TV show in Nigeria. Then, on August 6, 2021, she released her first full album called “19 & Dangerous.” She worked with her friends Louddaaa and Don Jazzy, who helped her with her previous songs, and some new friends like London and Andre Vibez, who helped her make new music.
People really liked her album because it mixed different styles of music like Afropop and R&B. One of her songs, “Bloody Samaritan,” became super popular and reached number one on a big music chart in Nigeria. Ayra even became the face of Pepsi in Nigeria in September 2021, which was a big deal.
She kept making music with other artists too. She teamed up with Cheque for a song called “Dangerous,” and it was part of his own album. Then, on November 10, 2022, she worked with Wizkid on a song called “2 Sugar,” which got really famous and went to the top of music charts in America. It was even used in a big movie called Creed III, which was pretty cool.
Ayra didn’t stop there. On October 27, 2023, she worked with David Guetta and Lil Durk on a song called “Big FU.” This song mixed different kinds of music and was a big hit all over the world. Ayra Starr’s journey from a TV show to working with famous artists shows how talented and successful she’s become in the music world.
Ayra Starr Influence
Starr’s love for music began in her childhood, where she was surrounded by a family that adored music. Her mom, who used to sing, and her brother Dami, who played the guitar and wrote songs, inspired her early on. Growing up in both Bénin and Nigeria exposed her to diverse cultures, shaping her views and personality. Starr and Dami started writing songs together from a young age, guided by their mom and aunt.
From as early as 10 years old, Starr dreamed of making singing her career, but her dad encouraged her to focus on finishing her education first.
Throughout her upbringing, she was influenced by a wide range of musicians, from local Nigerian legends like 2Face Idibia and Wande Coal to international stars like Shakira, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. She admired how these artists conveyed power through their music, especially when discussing topics that weren’t commonly addressed by Nigerian female singers at the time.
In college, Starr expanded her musical palette to include artists like Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Sia, and Tiwa Savage. She particularly looked up to Shakira for her vocal prowess, along with Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Miley Cyrus.
Starr found inspiration in the way these artists crafted their lyrics, citing Aṣa as a role model for her beautiful songwriting skills. Listening to Aṣa’s music taught Starr how to write meaningful lyrics that resonated with listeners on a deeper level.
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, professionally known as Ayra Starr, was born on June 14, 2002. Originating from Benin, Nigeria, she initially embarked on a modeling journey at the tender age of 16 under the wings of Quove Model Management.
However, her passion for music soon took precedence over the runway. Ayra’s ascent to musical stardom began when she showcased her vocal prowess by covering various songs by renowned artists on Instagram.
It was in December 2019 that she unveiled her first original composition on her social media platform, catching the attention of none other than music mogul Don Jazzy. Impressed by her talent, Don Jazzy wasted no time in offering Ayra a coveted spot under his prestigious record label, Mavin Records.
In the early months of 2021, Ayra Starr catapulted into the mainstream limelight with the release of her eponymous debut extended play, featuring the infectious hit “Away.” This melodious track not only dominated Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 chart for two consecutive weeks but also made waves internationally, peaking at an impressive number 17 on the Billboard Top Triller Global chart. Such resounding success paved the way for Ayra’s highly anticipated debut album, “19 & Dangerous,” a vibrant fusion of afropop and R&B elements.
Critics lauded the mixtape, which spawned two chart-topping singles in Nigeria. Notably, “Bloody Samaritan” soared to the top of the charts, marking Ayra Starr as the first female artist to achieve this feat with a solo track. Her undeniable talent was further validated as she made her debut on Pandora Predictions chart and clinched the third spot on Billboard’s Next Big Sound list by August 28, 2021.
Ayra Starr’s global prominence reached new heights in 2022 with the release of her sensational track, “Rush.” The song captivated audiences worldwide, charting in various territories, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at an impressive number 24. Such widespread acclaim earned Ayra Starr her maiden nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.
In a groundbreaking achievement, Ayra Starr etched her name in the annals of history as the youngest African Female Artist to surpass 100 Million views on a single YouTube video. What’s more, she accomplished this remarkable feat within a mere five months, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the music industry.
Early Life – Age, Family, Education
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known as Ayra Starr, was born on June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin, and grew up between there and Lagos, Nigeria. She’s Nigerian and part of the Yoruba ethnic group. Her family moved a lot when she was in high school because of her dad’s job, which made it hard for her to make lasting friendships.
Growing up, Ayra was surrounded by music-loving family members, which sparked her own interest in singing. She started singing in a school choir when she was just 10 years old and began writing songs with her brother. Despite facing bullying from classmates in college due to her age and looks, she found solace in music, often listening to Nicki Minaj for inspiration.
Ayra’s mom was always supportive of her musical dreams, encouraging her to pursue a career in singing. She went to university and studied international relations and political science, but her passion for music never faded.
In simple terms, Ayra Starr’s life has been filled with ups and downs, but through it all, music has been her constant companion and source of strength. She’s now a rising star in the music industry, ready to make her mark with her powerful voice and inspiring story.
Biography of Ayra Starr – Career
In August 2018, Ayra Starr signed a modeling contract with Quove Models, a modeling agency located in Lagos. Through this agency, she landed gigs with various companies such as Mazelle Studio, Complete Fashion Magazine, and Esperanza Woman. However, her true passion lay in music. In 2019, Ayra started sharing cover versions of popular songs by artists like Andra Day and 2Face Idibia on social media platforms.
Choosing the stage name “Ayra Starr” was significant to her because it symbolizes being awake and enlightening, qualities she aspires to embody. Her breakthrough moment came in December 2019 when she posted an original song titled “Damage” on her Instagram page. This song caught the attention of music industry heavyweight Don Jazzy, ultimately leading to her signing her first recording contract with Mavin Records.
In 2020, Ayra began recording at Mavin Studios in Lagos, collaborating with producers Louddaaa and Don Jazzy. Her debut extended play (EP), self-titled “Ayra Starr,” was released on January 22, 2021, under Mavin Records. The EP is a captivating journey through themes of love and relationships, blending elements of R&B/neo-soul with Afropop beats. Ayra aimed to create music that resonated with listeners of all ages.
The EP’s production was handled by a talented team including Ikon, Louddaaa, and Johnny Drille. Ayra co-wrote four of the songs with her brother Dami, showcasing her songwriting prowess. Following its release, the EP quickly soared to the top of the charts, topping the Nigeria iTunes and Apple Music charts and achieving similar success in four other countries.
Tracks like “Away” became instant hits, reaching number four on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 and number 17 on the US Billboard Top Triller Global chart. The music video for “Away” premiered on MTV Base’s Official Naija Top 10, garnering widespread acclaim.
Ayra also collaborated with artists like Tokimonsta and Lilo on remix versions of her songs “Ija” and “Away.” Additionally, she lent her vocals to Crayon’s EP “Twelve A.M” on the track “In Sync.” Her talent was further showcased when she performed at UC Berkeley’s Nigerian Students Association virtual culture show, The Olori Awards.
Continuing her momentum, Ayra released the official music video for her song “DITR” in April 2021, followed by another visually stunning video for “Sare” in June 2021. Both music videos were directed by the talented Afolabi Olalekan, further solidifying Ayra Starr’s status as a rising star in the Nigerian music scene.
Conclusion
Ayra Starr, the rising Nigerian music sensation, embodies a remarkable journey of talent, perseverance, and artistic vision. With her captivating voice, dynamic stage presence, and soulful lyrics, she has quickly carved a niche for herself in the music industry.
As her star continues to ascend, Ayra stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring artists, has proved that with talent, hard work, and authenticity, dreams can indeed become reality. In conclusion, Ayra Starr’s biography is a testament to the power of passion and resilience in the pursuit of artistic excellence.
