Afrosoul sensation Ayra Starr's sound is soothing, fierce and soulful at once. She is a rising star who has already garnered worldwide attention for her original sound and style. With lyrics in Yoruba, English and Nigerian Pidgin English, Starr displays her versatility across her music, bringing a unique vibe defined by a multicultural background.
Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe in Benin, West Africa, Starr was raised between the beach city of Cotonou and Lagos, Nigeria. She credits her family as her most significant musical influence, as her mother was a singer and her aunt a rapper. (Other than her family, Starr's musical influences include Rihanna, Lijadu Sisters, 2Baba, Nicki Minaj, Tiwa Savage, and Shakira.) Her father encouraged her to complete her education before pursuing her musical career, so she completed her studies with a degree in international relations and political science from Les Cours Sonou University.
Starr's first foray into music began when she posted covers of popular songs on Instagram. In December 2019 she shared an original song, "Damaged," and caught the attention of famed Nigerian producer Don Jazzy, who reached out within hours. She signed to his label, Mavin Records, in 2020 and released an eponymous EP in 2021. That same year, she released her acclaimed debut studio album 19 & Dangerous, and was then nominated for the 2022 BET Award for Best New International Act.
The singer achieved mainstream international success in early 2023 with the release of the single "Rush," which charted in several countries, including the United Kingdom. This helped her break another record, in that she became the only Nigerian female artist to have had a solo song chart on the UK Official Singles Chart.
Ayra Starr will continue to head out on tour throughout 2023, performing concerts in the United States and Europe.
