Ayra Starr eyes collaboration with Burna Boy, Jay-Z and more…talks about first visit to Ghana

18-year-old Nigerian singer, Ayra Starr was recently announces as Apple Music’s latest Africa Rising artist.  “It’s been amazing.  I feel so great, I feel so grateful and honored. I just released music not even up to two months now, so I am grateful to Apple for the opportunity,” she told Ameyaw TV.

Apple Music’s Africa Rising, is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars

Ayra Starr doesn’t think that her rise all happened too fast! “I feel that God has granted me this pace. I have worked so hard; I worked on the EP for a year. I have been fasting and praying for it.  I have been singing and dancing all my life”

Ayra began building a fan base by posting covers of songs on her social media platforms. But it was her original track “Damage” posted in December 2019, which attracted the attention of Don Jazzy, who was quick to snap her up and bring her into his artist fold.

“At first, I was having fun, because I was very shy at what I did. I didn’t know if people would enjoy my music. I knew in my mind and from family that I sang really well.  I was just scared of what people would think on the Internet. But I started posting covers and I saw that people really enjoy what I was doing.

“One day I decided to upload an original song for the first time ever , three or four months  after my dad passed away. So it was very intimate for me and I didn’t even want to post it. When I posted it, people could relate and I knew that this music thing was really for me.  If I can make people feel what I feel just through the way I sing, then I’m in the right place.”

Ayra spent a year carefully recording music culminating in the release of her debut, self-titled EP Ayra Starr. With the success of its lead single “Away”, Ayra transforms heartache into strength and is looking forward to doing more.

“I would like to work with Burna Boy anytime any day! I love Burna Boy. I love SZA, I am obsessed with her and would love to have a song with her. I love Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and just all these amazing musicians that I have been listening to since I was young.  Jay-Z, oh my God, just imagine me on a track with Jay-Z.”

Ayra synthesizes multiple sounds by merging electric guitar riffs and subtle percussion to showcases her ability as a vocal and songwriting force, blending Afro-Pop, Afrobeats and R&B on her EP.

She is looking forward to her first visit to Ghana. “I have never been to Ghana. I have been talking to a lot of my Ghanaian fans and they have been super sweet.  I have always wanted to visit Ghana and the fact that I will be visiting as Ayra Starr is going to be mind-blowing. I am so excited.”