Ayra Starr

Early life

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe was born on June 14, 2002 in Cotonou, Bénin, and raised in Cotonou and Lagos, Nigeria.^[6] She is Nigerian and of Yoruba heritage,^[7] with both parents from Kwara State. She was raised in a multilingual home and learned both Yoruba and French during her early years in Bénin. She is also fluent in English and Nigerian Pidgin, which she often uses during her work and press interactions.^[8][9]

She is the second of five children. She and her older brother, Dami, played music together in their childhood.^[10] At age ten, she joined the school choir and began writing songs with Dami, guided by their mother, a former singer. The siblings formed a band and regularly entered local music competitions together.^[6]

Aderibigbe has expressed that her family's frequent relocations, driven by her father's business ventures, made it difficult to form lasting friendships during high school.^[6]

Though Aderibigbe gravitated toward the arts as a teen, her father often urged her to prioritize academics.^[10] She attended Les Cours Sonou University in Cotonou and received a BA degree in international relations and political science.^[10] During her college years, she was often bullied by her classmates because of her age and appearance. She compared music to an escape, saying "I would listen to Nicki Minaj on my way to school, and I'd feel like the second Nicki Minaj."^[6] Aderibigbe's mother supported her musical ambitions and reportedly encouraged her to pursue a singing career.^[11]

2018–2020: Career beginnings

Starr's early performance experience included competing as a child on the Nigerian television talent show Maltina Dance All, where she finished in second place and won a TV set as a prize, an accomplishment her family viewed as an early indication of her talent.^[12][13] During her school years, she performed a mashup of One Direction's "Story of My Life" and Adekunle Gold's "Sade" at a school concert. According to Starr, following a school performance, she was encouraged by family and teachers to pursue a music career.^[12] In August 2018, Starr signed with Quove Models, a Lagos-based modeling agency. She subsequently modelled for companies such as Mazelle Studio, Complete Fashion Magazine, and Esperanza Woman. She later said that music and fashion were complementary interests that came naturally to her.^[14]

In 2019, Aderibigbe started posting song covers by artists like Andra Day and 2Face Idibia on social media.^[11] That year, Starr also performed at a poetry show where she covered Jorja Smith's "Don't Watch Me Cry," recalling that some audience members cried during her set.^[15] The stage name "Ayra Starr" is of Arabic origin, meaning, "somebody that is highly respected," which she identified with, describing the name as "woke and eye-opening."^[16] She also appeared in the music video for Eri Ife's song "Dear Future Wife." Despite a growing online presence, she remained uncertain about pursuing music and even considered music management to support her brother Dami's ambitions.^[17] As a boarding school student, she had aspired to sign with Mavin Records, borrowing teachers' phones to stream videos of the label's artists such as Di'Ja and Korede Bello.^[17]

In December 2019, Starr uploaded an original song called "Damage" to her Instagram page. Within three hours, Mavin Records founder Don Jazzy sent her a message expressing his interest in her music and inviting her to meet.^[18][11][19] Starr's first sessions at Mavin Studios were her introduction to professional recording. She admitted being extremely nervous during those times; she and her brother would quietly celebrate whenever Don Jazzy left the room, then compose themselves again when he returned.^[10] She later reflected on the Mavin environment as familial rather than strictly business-oriented.^[10] Throughout 2020, she recorded at Mavin Studios in Lagos with producers Louddaaa, Don Jazzy, and Dayogrey.^[10]

2021–2023: Ayra Starr and 19 & Dangerous

Her self-titled debut EP was released in January 2021 through Mavin Records.^[20] The album has been described as "a topsy-turvy chronicle of love or love-themed situations" that "merges elements of R&B/neo-soul with Afropop percussion."^[21] Starr said her intention with the record was to make music that would resonate with both young and old listeners.^[22] 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.^[20] Shortly after its release, the EP became the number-one album on Nigeria iTunes and Apple Music. By March 2021, it had reached the same position on Apple Music in four other countries, racking up over 15 million streams across Spotify, YouTube, and Audiomack. The EP included the 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.^[23] OkayAfrica included the song in their list of The 9 Best Nigerian Songs of January 2021.^[24]

Starr released remix versions of "Ija" and "Away", featuring Tokimonsta and Lilo respectively, between March and April. In early 2021, Crayon's EP Twelve A.M was released with her vocals on the track "In Sync."^[25] She performed at the UC Berkeley Nigerian Students Association's virtual culture show titled The Olori Awards.^[26] In April 2021, the official music video for her song "DITR" was released on YouTube via Mavin.^[27] In June 2021, the music video for another song titled "Sare" was released. Both music videos were directed by Afolabi Olalekan.

In July 2021, Starr performed for the season finale of Nigerian Idol.^[28] On 6 August 2021, her debut studio album titled 19 & Dangerous was released. 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.^[29] It was met with favorable critical reception, with most critics characterizing its sound as primarily Afropop and R&B. It included 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. On the chart dated 27 September 2021, it reached number one, making Starr the first female artist to do so with a solo single.^[30][31][32] Starr also debuted on Pandora Predictions chart, and on 28 August 2021, she ranked number two on the Billboard's Next Big Sound.^[4] She was featured on "in the light," a track on Johnny Drille's Before We Fall Asleep.

In September 2021, Starr was named brand ambassador for Pepsi in Nigeria. The following day, Starr performed during a live eviction episode of Big Brother Naija.^[33] She collaborated with Cheque on "Dangerous", the second track on his album Bravo. At the 8th African Muzik Magazine Awards, she was nominated for the Best Newcomer award.

In September 2022, Starr released the song "Rush" as part of the deluxe edition of 19 & Dangerous.^[34] The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24.^[2] It became the most streamed solo song by a Nigerian female artist on Spotify and made her the youngest African female artist to surpass 100 million views on a single YouTube video, while also earning Starr her first nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.^[3][35] On 10 November 2022, Starr was 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.^[36]

Throughout this period, Starr was also recording material for her next project at Mavin Studios in Lagos, working with regular collaborators. In March 2023, her music appeared on Creed III's soundtrack.^[37][38] Shortly after this, in July 2023, she announced her first headlining world tour, 21: The World Tour, with 40 stops across North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia.^[39] The lead single from her next album, "Rhythm & Blues," was released in September 2023, exploring themes of romance and vulnerability.^[40] She was also featured on the David Guetta song "Big FU," along with rapper Lil Durk, which reached No. 23 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs^[41] and No. 18 on New Zealand Top 40 charts.^[42]

2024–2025: The Year I Turned 21 and international expansion

The album's rollout continued with the release of its second single, "Commas," on February 2, 2024.^[43] On 5 March 2024, American R&B artist Chris Brown announced Starr as an opening act for his 11:11 Tour in North America.^[44] The following month, on 8 April, Jamaican record producer Rvssian released "Santa," a collaboration with Starr and reggaeton artist Rauw Alejandro.^[45] The track became a viral hit, fusing Afropop, reggaeton, and dancehall influences. It also made Starr the first Nigerian female artist to reach 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify.^[46][47] During the same month, Starr attended a Fenty event in London, where she met Rihanna. ^[48] 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.^[49]

"Bad Vibes," featuring Seyi Vibez, was released on 10 May as the final single ahead of the album. Produced by Mystro, the track addresses the pressures that come with success while emphasizing the importance of protecting one’s peace.^[50] Each single was accompanied by a music video, building anticipation for the full-length project. Starr's second studio album, The Year I Turned 21, was released through Mavin Records. The album explores themes of self-discovery, love, grief, and empowerment. In interviews, Starr described the recording process as involving "experimentation and self-expression."^[51] The album features guest appearances from Seyi Vibez, Coco Jones, Giveon, Asake, Anitta and Rauw Alejandro. The album includes tracks such as "Woman Commando", featuring Coco Jones and Anitta, which draws on Afrobeat and Western pop styles.^[52] 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 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" contained voice notes from Starr's family, offering listeners a glimpse into her personal life.^[53] Following the album's release, she served as an opening act for Chris Brown's 2024 11:11 Tour across 26 North American cities from June to August, where she premiered new tracks from The Year I Turned 21. In June 2024, Starr made history as the first African female artist to perform on Glastonbury Festival's Pyramid Stage.^[54] She also headlined Afro Nation Detroit in August.^[55] Billboard praised the album for its "universal themes of growth and ambition that resonate across cultures."^[56] She collaborated with Coldplay on the song "Good Feelings" from their album Moon Music and was a supporting act for the band's Music of the Spheres World Tour in Australia and New Zealand.

In February 2025, Starr launched the year with her first single "All The Love".^[57] That same month, she made history at the MOBO Awards held at Newcastle's Utilita Arena on 18 February, becoming the first woman in sixteen years to win Best African Music Act. She also secured Best International Act.^[58] In April, she became the first Nigerian female artist to receive a Latin Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for her 2024 collaboration "Santa" with Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, which grossed over 35 million streams.^[59] On 25 April, she released "Gimme Dat" featuring Wizkid, which nods to Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige's "911". In June, Starr won her first BET Award for Best International Act at the ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on 9 June, edging out nominees including Black Sherif, Rema, Tyla, and Uncle Waffles.^[60] Her Summer 2025 Tour kicked off on 20 June with a performance at Summerjam Festival in New Jersey, followed by appearances at St. Kitts Music Festival on 28 June and Montreal International Jazz Festival on 1 July. She joined British band Coldplay for multiple stadium dates on their Music of the Spheres World Tour, beginning with a three-night run at Downsview Stadium in Toronto on 7, 8 and 12 July. The tour continued through London's Wembley Stadium on 22 and 23 August, where Coldplay played a record-breaking ten dates at England's Wembley Stadium.^[61]

In mid-July, Starr signed an international management deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation while remaining signed to Mavin Records for music releases. The partnership was designed to leverage her exposure internationally, particularly in the United States market. The announcement, which surfaced on 16 July, confirmed that Roc Nation would oversee her global branding, touring, bookings, and endorsement deals, particularly across the United States and Europe.^[62] On 25 July, she released "Hot Body", a dancehall-infused single produced by Ragee and The Elements, which was praised by critics, with Billboard calling it a "steamy slow-wine groove".^[63] The track marked her first official release under Roc Nation management.

On 27 September, Starr performed at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City's Central Park alongside headliners Cardi B and Shakira, as well as Tyla, Mariah the Scientist, and Camilo^[64]. During her performance, Starr brought out her labelmate Rema as a surprise guest, and they performed "Rush" together, followed by Rema's hits "Calm Down" and "Baby (Is It a Crime)".^[65] Following the performance, Starr and Rema released their first official collaboration as co-lead artists titled "Who's Dat Girl" on October 17. The track, produced by Ragee with additional production from The Elements, blended dancehall, R&B, and Middle Eastern influences into an Afro-dance experience.^[66]

On 27 October 2025, Starr announced that she was working on her first book, though no details about the title, theme, or release date were provided.^[67] In November 2025, she headlined the Tidal Rave Festival at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, becoming the first major non-Ghanaian artist to headline the event in its 13-year history.

Later that month, she confirmed in an interview with Hot 93.7 Hartford that she had moved to New York City, explaining that the decision arose from an intuitive connection to the city and a desire to broaden her sound while "carrying [her] culture" and Afrobeats identity into a global context.^[68] In the days following the news of her relocation, the Grammy Museum announced A New York Evening With Ayra Starr at National Sawdust in Brooklyn.^[69] On December 13, Starr launched a Substack newsletter; her first essay, "I'm Not Scared, I Promise," explored the challenges of adjusting to New York, from feelings of loneliness to the city's harsh winter climate.^[70] The museum event took place on December 16, with music journalist J'na Jefferson moderating a discussion of Starr's creative process and her Best African Music Performance nomination for "Gimme Dat", followed by live performances. During the programme, Starr credited Wizkid's influence on her approach, remarking that he taught her that "confidence is not noise."^[71] On 19 December, she performed at the GTCO Music Concert at Accra Sports Stadium with an audience of over 30,000.^[72]

2026–present: New album

In January 2026, she was announced as a contributing artist on the original motion picture soundtrack for GOAT, an animated film produced by Sony Pictures Animation, appearing on the track "Brought the Family", a collaboration with Jon Bellion.^[73][74] Starr was featured in Spotify's "Our Frequency" zine Issue 033, where she discussed her aspirations and confirmed she was working on her third studio album, expected later in the year.^[75] She was added to the lineup for BRED Abu Dhabi's fourth edition at Yas Marina Circuit on 16 February, scheduled to perform on 25 April as part of the festival's 22–26 April run.^[76] She provided a verse for the remix of "Mon Bébé" by French artist RnBoi.^[77] On 6 March 2026, she released her single "Where Do We Go".^[78] She also appeared on the song "Aye Kan (Are You Coming Back)" on Angélique Kidjo's 2026 album Hope!!.^[79]

Musical style

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.^[21][80] Her lyrics are a mixture of English, Nigerian Pidgin English and Yoruba. She often sings about contemporary topics such as love, relationships, empowerment and freedom.^[10]

With the release of her first 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."^[81] 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."^[82] Schön! Magazine's Thandie Sibanda called the EP "a coming-of-age jukebox."^[16]

Her 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."^[83]

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.^[84] 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.^[85] 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.^[86]

Influences

Rihanna (left) and Beyoncé (right) were among Starr's major influences during her formative years.

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.^[22] Starr and Dami began writing songs under the tutelage of their mother and aunt. She wanted to make a career out of singing since the age of ten, but her father encouraged her to complete her education first.^[10]

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. She has called herself a "Disney girl," recalling how she would regularly watch Disney Channel shows, mainly Hannah Montana, while aspiring to become "the Nigerian Hannah Montana." The Disney film Let It Shine and its lead female co-star Coco Jones also left a lasting impression on Starr's early creative development.^[87]

As a fan of boy band One Direction, Starr performed a mashup of "Story of My Life" and Adekunle Gold's "Sade" at a school event, which was one of her earliest public performances. It was this rendition that prompted her teachers to encourage her professional ambitions.^[12] At age 11, Starr began studying vocal techniques through YouTube tutorials, searching for videos on how to emulate Beyoncé and Rihanna's rhythmic patterns.^[88] During her college years, she expanded her listening to include Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Sia and Tiwa Savage. Starr found Minaj's music generally empowering and has stated she aims to provide similar confidence to young listeners.^[12] 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 [and] was one of those people [she] would listen to just to learn how to write properly."^[12] Starr has also cited Frank Ocean's Nostalgia, Ultra as inspiration for her evolving sound.^[89]

Following the success of "Bloody Samaritan" in 2021, Starr developed a mentorship relationship with Kelly Rowland, who joined the song's remix after it gained traction in the UK. Rowland became a significant influence on Starr's work ethic and approach to her career, advising her, "Sorry, you can't rest, this is not the time to rest," while sharing insights from her own experience with Destiny's Child about the importance of persistence and hard work.^[90] Starr has cited Kelly Rowland as a mentor, noting that Rowland provided guidance on career persistence and maintaining authenticity.^[91][91]

During her 21st birthday trip to Barbados in June 2022, former Victorious actor Leon Thomas III gifted her a song called "21" after they spent a month together in the studio trading life stories. The collaboration became a breakthrough moment for her album The Year I Turned 21.^[92]

In April 2024, Starr met Rihanna at a Fenty event in London, a moment she described as surreal given Rihanna's longstanding impact on her artistry.^[93] During the Crop Over Festival in Barbados, the two spent time together.^[94] Starr later cited Rihanna's "Desperado" as a catalyst for her new musical era.^[89]

Inclusivity

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.^[121]

In May 2024, during a concert in Brazil, Starr expressed support for LGBTQ+ fans, which received mixed reactions from the public and reflected ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ issues in Nigerian society.^[122]

Fashion and endorsements

In September 2021, Starr became a brand ambassador for Pepsi Nigeria.^[123] Starr was featured in the October 2021 issue of Accelerate TV's The Cover.^[124] Starr was featured in the Fall/Winter 2021 issue of ODDA.^[125] In 2021, she appeared in a Notion editorial.^[14] She was on the cover and appeared in an editorial for Wonderland magazine 2021 winter issue.^[126]

In May 2022, she signed an endorsement deal with UK-based beauty brand L'Avyanna Skin.^[127] In July 2022, she entered a partnership with Darling Nigeria, a hair care brand.^[128] She appeared on the cover of Fault's December 2022 issue, photographed by Jack Alexander and interviewed by Fabio Magnocavallo.^[129]

In March 2023, she was announced as the spokesperson for Maybelline New York across sub-Saharan Africa, representing the cosmetics company in various initiatives aimed at promoting women's empowerment and self-expression.^[130] In July 2023, she was the cover star for Teen Vogue's inaugural "Africa's New Wave" issue alongside fellow artists BNXN and Victony.^[9] In the same month, she partnered with JD Sports for a campaign.^[131]

She appeared on the cover of Euphoria in 2024.^[51] She was featured in the Autumn 2024 issue of Wonderland, photographed by Danny Kasirye and styled by Toni-Blaze Ibekwe.^[132] In September 2024, she appeared on the cover of Dazed Magazine's Autumn 2024 issue, photographed by Zora Sicher.^[92] In October 2024, she was named the official ambassador for Infinix Mobile's HOT Series.^[133] She was on the cover of the "Rule The World" editorial for Blanc Magazine's January 2025 issue.^[134]

In February 2025, she signed an endorsement deal with New Balance alongside actor and musician Jaden Smith, becoming the face of the sportswear brand's latest campaign. She has also appeared on covers for GQ South Africa,^[135] Numero,^[136] and Hunger.^[137]

She made her runway debut in 2025 at the London Fashion Week, walking for Di Petsa and closing the show for the brand's Autumn/Winter 2025 collection.^[138]

Acting

In 2024, she made her acting debut in the movie Christmas in Lagos, appearing as herself.^[139]

In March 2025, she was announced as part of the cast of Children of Blood and Bone, Paramount Pictures' adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling novel, marking her acting debut alongside Viola Davis, Idris Elba, and Cynthia Erivo. The Gina Prince-Bythewood-directed film wrapped production in Lagos on June 2, with a scheduled release date of January 15, 2027. Speaking about the experience, she reflected on how filming forced her to adapt to strict schedules and military time, stating that she now respects actors more than ever and learned tremendously from working with the ensemble cast.^[140]