When you write Ayra Starr Biography or Ayra Starr net worth, or Ayra Starr songs, MS Word wastes no time in placing a red line on Ayra.
Not that it bothers her.
According to the musician, the first word of her stage name means “woke and eye-opening” and “that’s what I stand for.”
Not that it bothers MS Word.
But in five years’ time, when she must have attained worldwide popularity like her brand Pepsi, MS Word will stand down and erase the red line on Ayra as it does with Ringo in Ringo Starr!
We present Ayra Starr Biography.
Birth
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, aka Ayra Starr, was born on June 14th, 2002 in Cotonou, Benin Republic. She’s from Kwara state, in the north-central region of Nigeria.
Not much is known about her parents, but we know Ayra Starr lost her father in 2018. The loss shook her, mainly because of the bond between them when he was alive.
Ayra Starr sisters
Ayra Starr has two sisters – Tolulope and Jesutumise – and two brothers – Ade and Dami. The latter helps co-write most of her songs. He now works as a professional songwriter with Mavin Records.
Education
We don’t have information about her primary and secondary schools. However, Ayra Starr holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from Les Cours Sonou University, Benin Republic.
Ayra Starr music career
While in school, Ayra Starr was a victim of bullying, as she faced constant harassment because she was a lot younger and smaller than her classmates. She turned to music for succour.
“I would listen to Nicki Minaj on my way to school, and I’d feel like the second Nicki Minaj,” she said.
During this harrowing experience, her mother was a pillar of support. She approved her ambition of wanting to be a musician and encouraged her to pursue a career in that line.
Like Nancy Isime, who moved from modeling to the big screens, Ayra Starr instead detoured into music from modeling. Switching arts wasn’t difficult for her, as it came naturally.
“It’s not complicated at all,” she said.
“It’s so natural to me because I like to express myself through art, and music is art. Fashion is art, so it just comes very easily to me. It’s not hard at all. I enjoy it a lot.”
Not that it was rosy at first because fame didn’t come like a thief in the night. In 2021, she bared her mind on how she dealt with the unpopularity of her songs at concerts as a budding artiste.
“Early last year, I used to take my friends and family to concerts and performances just in case no one knew my music. They would help me scream my songs and ginger the audience,” she said.
Ayra Starr Career Timeline
August 2018 – signed with Lagos-based agency, Quove Models. Had stints with companies like Esperanza Woman, Complete Fashion Magazine, Mazelle Studio
2019 – posted covers of songs by artists like Andra Day and 2Face Idibia online
2019 – appeared in the music video for Eri Ife’s song, Dear Future Wife
December 2019 – uploaded an original song called Damage on her Instagram page. Got snapped up by Don Jazzy, Mavin Records’ boss
2020 – started recording at Mavin Studios with producers Louddaaa and Don Jazzy
January 22nd, 2021 – released her self-titled debut extended play. Became the number-one album on Nigeria’s iTunes and Apple Music
March 2021 – the album reached the same position on Apple Music in four other countries, racking up over 15 million streams across Spotify, YouTube, and Audio Mack
2021 – performed at the UC Berkeley Nigerian Student Association virtual culture show titled The Olori Awards
April 28th, 2021 – the official music video for her song, DITR, was released on YouTube via Mavin
June 2021 – released the music video for the song titled Sare
July 11th 2021 – performed for the season finale of Nigerian Idol
August 6th 2021 – released her debut studio album, 19 & Dangerous
August 28th 2021 – ranked number two on Billboard’s Next Big Sound
September 4th 2021 – named brand ambassador for Pepsi Nigeria
September 5th 2021 – performed during a live eviction episode of Big Brother Naija
September 27th 2021 – Bloody Samaritan reached the number one spot on TurnTable Top 50. It made Ayra Starr the first female artist to do so with a solo single
2021 – collaborated with Cheque on Dangerous, the second track on his album Bravo
2021 – nominated for Best Newcomer award at the 8th African Muzik Magazine Awards
October 2021 – was on the cover of Accelerate TV’s magazine, The Cover, and on its editorial titled ‘Ayra Starr A Starr Is Born’
2021 – featured on the editorial page of the Fall/Winter issue of ODDA
2021 – performed at the grand finale of the Nigerian Idol Musical Talent Show
Ayra Starr songs
Ayra Starr is still an ‘entry level’ musician. Hence, she has a few songs under her belt. We expect more when she becomes a ‘CEO’!
Away
DITR
Sare
Snitch
Memories
Beggie Beggie
Running
Cast
Skinny Girl Anthem
I’m Feeling Vibes on Vibes
Ayra Starr studio album and EP
2021 – Ayra Starr EP
2021 – 19 & Dangerous album
2022 – 19 & Dangerous deluxe album
Musical style and influence
Ayra Starr grew up with music. Unlike Asake, she was an active member of her church choir, where she served as a vocalist.
Her mother was a singer, albeit unprofessionally. Her brother Dami, being a guitarist and songwriter, kindled her interest in music.
Growing up in the Benin Republic and Nigeria exposed her to different cultures that shaped her life, personality, and music.
“Growing up in different cities from Lagos, Abuja to Cotonou has helped me transform different energies into my sound. Cotonou is like a beach, very calm and serene and it’s a place where you can get your mind together,” she said.
“Then Lagos, for creatives and a creative person like me, Lagos just feels like home, something was always going on, there is always one party somewhere, I would go to parties that I was not invited to. The commotion, the vibe, everything that is happening. Everybody is doing something; everyone understands the struggle and everyone is working just as hard as me.
“Doing music has not always been fun. There’s no time for anything personal at all. I knew that was going to be a problem, but God, my family, and others around me have kept me going.”
She acknowledged Shakira as her most significant influence. Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Miley Cyrus are not too far off.
“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.”
She also admires Aṣa who, according to her, “wrote so beautifully [and] was one of one of those people [she] would listen to just to learn how to write properly.”
Ayra Starr’s sound can be categorised as Afropop and R&B. The album, 19 & Dangerous kept the Afropop and R&B blend of her previous record, but it was also laced with genres like neo-soul, Jazz and EDM.
Ayra Starr record label
Ayra Starr’s musical career got a major boost in 2020 when Don Jazzy, the owner of Mavin Records, reached out to her after seeing some of her covers and videos on her Instagram page. He snapped her up immediately. However, the record deal was made public on January 21st, 2021. A day after, she released her debut self-named 5-track EP.
SEE: Nancy Isime Biography: Net worth, Husband, Controversies
Tems and Ayra Starr Related
After Ayra Starr released her maiden EP, critics found a semblance of vocal technique with that of Tems. But that’s where the connection ends.
The Beninois-born musician was flattered, though.
“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.”
Ayra Starr and Rema relationship
“Ayra Starr is a really talented young lady. She is an amazing person. Personality, 100… she is the life of the party; she brings energy to the studio. She’s the one… like, she’s an awesome person,” Rema was quoted to have said about Ayra Starr.
If a man says sweet things like this about a woman, it’s highly likely they’re an item, right?
Indeed, Ayra Starr and Rema have a working relationship, as both artists are under the stable of Mavin Records. Only time will tell if they engage in what Fela Anikulapo Kuti described in the track Na Poi!
READ: Peter Obi Networth and Biography (Everything You Should Know)
Ayra Starr Boyfriend
Ayra Starr has a hit song titled Rush, but we assume she’s not in a hurry to be involved romantically with another man. Unless her fans are prepared for a similar tune like Away, where she detailed the pain she felt after leaving a relationship and how the experience liberated and strengthened her.
Ayra Starr social media
You can connect with Ayra Starr on
Instagram: @ayrastarr
Twitter: @ayrastarr
Website: ayrastarr.com
Ayra Starr Net worth
Ayra Starr is relatively new in the music industry and just building her net worth. However, one can still hazard a guess of her net worth from her record sales, concerts, endorsements like the one with Pepsi, modelling, activities on social media platforms, and other business engagements unknown to the public. We estimate that her net worth is nearly $1,500,000 million.
Ayra Starr Cars
Ayra Starr takes delight in cruising on sports cars and sports utility vehicles. She has a Toyota land cruiser, a Luxury Coupe Lexus, and a Sedan.
Ayra Starr House
Ayra Starr is obviously not of no-fixed abode, as she currently lives with her mother and siblings somewhere on Lagos mainland. We can’t confirm, though, if the house belongs to her.
Ija
Ayra Starr put the title of one of the songs into action as she ‘fought’ a non-admirer online.
In October 2022, Ayra Starr came under fire for wearing a skimpy dress which revealed some parts of her breasts to a concert in Lagos.
The Bloody Samaritan crooner didn’t react like a good Samaritan.
“I’m only going to say this once. I no send your papa, your mama, your uncle, your sister,” she said.
“I go wear my miniskirt anywhere I want, anytime I want, any way I want. So, mind your business. ‘Cos you see me, your opinion, I go use am write song. E no matter to me. Hey guys, I am still new in this so… don’t judge me, no judgement.”
In another incident that brought Ija to life, the songstress accused Air France of racism over her delayed luggage.
Though the Mavin Records artiste didn’t reveal the situation surrounding the development that didn’t stop her from lashing out at the airline.
“Air France, this is starting to smell like racism, it’s been two months already! Please return my box to me! My laptop is in there, my music is in there, give me my box, I’m tired,” she said.
“All My worst flight experiences have been with Air France, please just return my box to me, I beg!
“Airfrance, I just want my box, it’s been two months! My laptop is in there, my music is in there! I’m tired. kay, please @airfrance @AirFranceNG.
“Please I just want my box, I’m not even angry again, I forgive y’all but just return my box, please.
“My laptop, my new wig I was supposed to use for shoot since, e day inside. If you can give me my laptop and wig, I won’t be angry again I promise.”
We couldn’t confirm if the matter was resolved amicably or led to more Ija!
SEE: Top 10 Richest Actors in Nigeria
Conclusion
At such a tender age, Ayra Starr is already an inspiration to many youths. Her track DITR (Diamond in the Rough) speaks to them specifically.
Oh, oh, oh
(Louder)
Noticed the stars in the sky were lost
No it’s not me, it’s just the place I was born
I thought this world was sane enough
It’s hard being the DITR, the DITR
I disobeyed
I taught you better
My mama yelled
Omomi wa da
Your child is changing
She started drinking
She’s doing drugs now
To end this feelings
She don dey do runs girl
She’s a bit shy, God have mercy
Smoke a little Indian hem
Or se igbo labi
She’s still your baby
Nothing has changed please
She’s only aging
Peer pressure bad ni (peer pressure bad ni)
Loving ties, scary fight
All we know is loving people wе don’t like
Just to vibe, then we end up drinking liquor in the night, with a smile
Claiming that we satisfied with all this fights
Punches everywhere like it’s Christmas light
I disobeyed
I taught you better
My mama yelled
Omomi wa da
Your boy is changing
He started drinking
He’s doing drugs now to end this feelings
He’s a diamond in the rough
And now he’s playing with a gun
Does he go to school anymore
Is he the king of his cult
‘Cause I disobeyed
I thought you better
My mama yelled
Omomi wa da
(Your child is changing)
(They started drinking)
(He’s doing drugs now)
(To end this feelings)
A song is enough for the wise!
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