Ayra Starr, the rising star of Afropop, has been on a rapid journey toward global recognition—and according to her, it’s exactly where she always knew she’d end up. Before turning 21, she had already signed to one of Africa’s top labels, earned hundreds of millions of streams, performed across the U.K., and even attracted praise from some of her biggest musical inspirations.
Her breakout moment came with her debut single, Away, which made waves in her home country of Nigeria. That success was quickly followed by Rush, a viral hit that has now racked up over 100 million streams on both Spotify and YouTube. Her most recent release, How Many Times, is a collaboration with fellow Mavin Records artists DJ Big N and Oxlade and reveals a deeper, more introspective side of the singer.
A Natural Path to Stardom
Ayra’s journey into music was organic. She grew up singing with her brother, and at 18, she uploaded her first original song online. The very next day, her now-executive producer reached out and invited her to the studio. Within three days, she was signed to Mavin Records, a Nigerian label founded by Don Jazzy—home to other major artists like Tiwa Savage and Rema.
Things escalated quickly after that. Her song Bloody Samaritan became a crossover hit in the UK and caught the attention of Grammy-winning artist Kelly Rowland, who not only jumped on a remix but has also become a mentor figure to Ayra.
So far, Ayra has released a self-titled EP and the album 19 & Dangerous. Her dynamic vocal style and bold persona have made her a go-to collaborator in the Afropop world. She’s worked with Cameroonian singer Libianca on the remix of People, teamed up with Tiwa Savage and Young Jonn for Stamina, and continues to expand her influence with every new release.
Showing a Softer Side
How Many Times brings a fresh visual and emotional tone to Ayra’s growing discography. The video challenges traditional gender roles, with scenes of Ayra and her friends being waited on by male bartenders, while Oxlade and his crew get pampered at a salon. DJ Big N appears throughout, bridging the two worlds with his performance.
This creative, thought-provoking visual experience is just one example of how Ayra continues to evolve not just as a vocalist, but as a storyteller and cultural force.
A Busy Festival Season Ahead
Ayra’s calendar is packed. She’s scheduled to perform at Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water festival in Virginia Beach at the end of April, before heading off to play at major music festivals across Europe this summer. Despite her packed schedule, she recently took time to chat with Variety over Zoom, sharing more about her background, mindset, and what it means to be a “sabi girl.”
What’s a “Sabi Girl”?
According to Ayra, “sabi” comes from Nigerian Pidgin and means “to know” or “to be skilled.” So a “sabi girl” is someone confident, capable, and on top of her game. The closest American slang? A “baddie.” Ayra embodies that energy completely.
“I’ve always had a crazy amount of confidence,” she laughed during the interview. “Not in a ‘look at me, I’m the prettiest’ kind of way, but I always knew who I was.”
Confidence from Day One
That confidence sometimes got her in trouble, she admits. “I would always do my own thing in school, and when I’d get punished, I’d say, ‘When I’m a superstar, I’m not going to do this.’” Even her mother, despite giving her the occasional scolding, recognized her daughter’s drive and ambition early on.
Her mom was actually a huge supporter of Ayra’s dreams. Since Ayra was five years old, she would sing with her brother to cheer up their mother after long workdays. “She always knew this was what we were going to do,” Ayra said. “She even encouraged me to post on Instagram to show people my talent.”
There’s a charming story about her mom buying a guitar for her and her brother—one that only had two strings because the seller scammed them. “She didn’t know what a guitar should be like, but she knew we wanted one. And we made it work—we sang to the whole neighborhood with those two strings.”
Ayra Starr’s blend of boldness, vulnerability, and unwavering self-belief continues to make her a standout figure in Afropop. With her talent, drive, and magnetic personality, she’s not just a rising star—she’s a name we’ll be hearing for years to come.