AYRA STARR

Early Life and Background

Ayra Starr was born on June 14, 2002, in Cotonou, Benin, to Nigerian parents from Kwara State. She grew up in a multicultural environment, living in both Benin and Lagos, Nigeria. She is the second of four children. Her passion for music was nurtured in a music-loving family; her late father was a songwriter, and her mother was a businesswoman with a great appreciation for music. Her younger brother is also a songwriter.

At the age of 10, she began singing in her church choir. As a teenager, she faced bullying because of her tall, slender frame, an experience she later channeled into her music and confident persona. She attended Les Cours Sonou University in Benin, where she graduated with a degree in International Relations and Political Science.

Career Beginnings and Discovery

Before her music career took off, Ayra Starr began working as a model at the age of 16, representing various brands in Lagos. However, her true passion remained music. In 2019, she started posting cover videos of popular songs on her Instagram page. Her powerful vocals and charismatic performances quickly gained attention.

Her life changed in December 2019 when she posted a video of herself singing an original song called "Damage." The video went viral and caught the eye of Nigerian music mogul and producer Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records. Impressed by her raw talent, he reached out to her, and she was subsequently signed to the label in 2020.

Breakthrough and Stardom

Ayra Starr was officially unveiled as a Mavin artist on January 21, 2021. The announcement was accompanied by the release of her self-titled debut extended play (EP), "Ayra Starr." The project was an instant success, and its lead single, "Away," became a massive breakout hit. The song topped the charts in Nigeria and showcased her unique sound, which she has described as "Afrosoul."

Later that year, she released her debut studio album, "19 & Dangerous," on August 6, 2021. The album was a critical and commercial triumph, demonstrating her versatility and lyrical depth. It featured the phenomenal hit single "Bloody Samaritan," a powerful anthem of defiance and self-confidence. The song became the first solo track by a female artist to reach the number-one spot on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart.

International Success

Ayra Starr's global profile skyrocketed with the release of her 2022 single, "Rush." The song became a worldwide viral sensation, particularly on TikTok, and charted in numerous countries across Europe and North America. It earned her a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

She has collaborated with several international artists and has been featured on the soundtrack for the film Creed III. She released her highly anticipated sophomore album, "The Year I Turned 21," in May 2024, which featured collaborations with artists like Asake, Giveon, and Coco Jones, further cementing her status as a global Afrobeats superstar.