Ayra Starr seems destined for the spotlight. Growing up between Lagos and Cotonou, Benin (which are separated by country borders but only 125kms apart), young Ayra feasted on a musical diet of Rihanna, Shakira, gospel, and the first wave of Afrobeats. “I come from a very musical household. My uncle was very musical, my grandad played guitar, my mum used to do reggae when she was younger,” recalls the now 20-year-old, whose creative team mirrors another Artist To Watch alum: Billie Eilish. Like the “bad guy” singer, Starr’s brother is her writing and production partner, and her mother is her biggest champion. Both young women also share a penchant for being unfiltered. “F**k society/F**k you wannabes/F**k your hypocrisy,” Starr jabs on “Ase,” from her debut album ‘19 & Dangerous.’ It was released last August on Mavin Records, which has been home to Rema and Tiwa Savage.
As the story goes, in 2019 Mavin head honcho Don Jazzy was in her DM’s an hour after she posted a song tribute to her late father. Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and NME have also fallen for her intoxicating blend of Afrosoul, R&B and West African pop. High fives were likely passed around when the Nigerian songbird’s fem-empowered “Rush” surpassed 20 million views less than a month after its release this fall; she directed it. That incisive voice of hers was right upfront during her ATW performance of the track, which is yet another addition to her bulging trophy case. What else is there to say: Ayra’s a star.
Ayra Starr
