For most musicians, releasing a debut album is the culmination of a lifelong dream, filled with excitement, nerves, and pride.
Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr experienced all these emotions, but her reaction was unique: she fell asleep.
“When I woke up the next day, I had so many missed calls saying, ‘Oh, Ayra, I loved your album,’” she recalls with a laugh.
Her debut album, 19 And Dangerous, released when she was still a teenager, established her as one of Africa’s brightest new stars. The album blended Afro-pop with R&B, trap, and alté influences, producing hits like “Bloody Samaritan” and earning her first Grammy nomination for the viral track “Rush.”
Three weeks ago, Starr released her critically acclaimed second album, The Year I Turned 21, celebrating the occasion awake this time.
“I got all my friends together and we listened to it outside for the first time, as if we’d never heard it before,” she says.
To celebrate, she headed to an amusement park, reveling in the adrenaline of rollercoasters.
Starr’s adrenaline levels are set to soar again as she prepares to perform on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage this Saturday.
Speaking from Lagos, she expressed her excitement and nerves. “I’ve wanted to do Glastonbury for so long. The fact that I get to do it on the main stage is kind of scary… but I love scary.”
However, past experiences have led her to take precautions. After getting stuck in a lift during her last visit to England, causing her to miss a gig, she vows, “I’m not entering no elevators again! I’m taking the stairs from now on.”
Starr and Burna Boy are the first Afrobeats artists to play the Pyramid Stage, marking a significant moment for the genre.
“It’s our time. We’ve been waiting for the globalization of Afrobeats, and it’s happening now,” she says, crediting generations of musicians for laying the groundwork.
Starr’s journey began in the contrasting cultures of Benin and Nigeria.
“Lagos is hustle and bustle, and Cotonou is so calm,” she reflects, noting how these environments shaped her music.
From singing in front of the TV as a child to joining a choir at ten, despite being told her deep voice was unsuitable, Starr has always been determined.
Among her musical influences, Rihanna stands out.
Meeting her was a “spiritual experience,” Starr says, expressed surprise Rihanna knew and loved her music.
She also received advice from Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who listened to her album pre-release and offered tips.
Starr’s perfectionism is evident in her meticulous approach to her craft, exemplified by her single “Commas,” which underwent 15 versions before she was satisfied.
“I felt like I was transcending when I had that mix,” she explains, highlighting a particular guitar chord as a euphoric touch.
With her new album receiving four-star reviews from NME and the Guardian, Starr’s message is clear: she’s a small girl who is also mighty, ready to prove any doubters wrong with her talent and intelligence.
As she prepares for her Glastonbury debut, Ayra Starr’s star continues to rise, fueled by fear, determination, and an unwavering commitment to her art.
