Ayra Starr on her “crazy” Glastonbury debut and meeting Rihanna
Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Mark Savage
- Role, Music correspondent
For most musicians, releasing their debut album is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
It is a moment full of excitement, nervousness, dizziness and pride.
Afrobeats star Ayra Starr also had all of these emotions. But her reaction to the momentous occasion was a little different than most.
“When I woke up the next day, I had so many missed calls saying, ‘Oh, Ayra, I loved your album,'” she laughs.
The Nigerian musician was still a teenager at the time, but her record “19 And Dangerous” made her one of Africa’s biggest new acts.
Combining lyrical awareness and hard-won confidence, Starr added touches of R&B, trap and alté to her silky Afro-pop sound.
The album featured the chart-topping hit “Bloody Samaritan” (which featured Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland on remix duties) and earned Starr her first Grammy nomination for the viral hit “Rush.”
Three weeks ago, the singer followed up with a critically acclaimed second album, titled The Year I Turned 21, and this time she managed to stay awake for the release.
“I called all my friends together and we heard it outside for the first time, as if we had never heard it before,” she says.
“And then I went to the theme park to celebrate. I’m a real roller coaster girl. I love the adrenaline. I love the feeling like I’m about to scream.”
With a performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury this Saturday, their adrenaline levels will soon be skyrocketing again.
She told us about her plans on the phone from Lagos.
How does it feel to play at Glastonbury?
It’s crazy actually. I’ve wanted to play Glastonbury for so long.
The fact that I get to do this on the main stage is kind of creepy… but I love being creepy.
I’m never using elevators again! From now on I’ll take the stairs.
You and Burna Boy are the first Afrobeats artists to play on the Pyramid Stage. Is the genre on the rise?
Our time has come. We have been waiting for the globalization of Afrobeats and now it is happening.
But it’s not just what you see today. It’s years and generations of musicians and hard work that have made it what it is.
Why do you think the Nigerian scene in particular is so strong?
Lagos is very small and the culture is very close.
Whether we’re in (infamous nightclubs) like Obi’s House or the W Bar, everyone is there making the music that people want to dance to.
For those discovering you for the first time, tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up half in Benin and half in Nigeria, in the cities of Cotonou and Lagos. They are three hours apart, but the culture is very different.
Lagos is very busy, but Cotonou is very quiet. It’s a beach town, everyone is very relaxed. These two different cultures have really influenced my art.
When did you first realize that you had a talent for singing?
I have always loved singing. As a child, I would stand in front of the television, watch MTV and sing along.
I joined a choir when I was ten years old, but I had a very deep voice, just like today, and my choir teacher said, “You can’t sing like that. A girl should sing higher.”
I’ve since learned to expand my vocal range, but that’s my voice. That’s how I sing.
Which artists did you look up to?
I used to listen to Burna Boy, Wizkid, 2face and all the Afrobeat artists – but Rihanna was my number one.
I saw on Instagram that you met her recently.
Oh, Mark, it was a spiritual experience! And I didn’t just meet her – she knew me and loved my music.
I just thought: “Noooo, this is crazy!”
Image source, Ayra Starr/Instagram
They also met Chris Martin.
Oh my goodness. Yes. I have loved Chris for so long and he has always been so supportive.
We met in a studio and I played him my album before it came out. He gave me tips, and (his producer) Max Martin gave me tips.
I took them all. I thought, “Yes, I’ll do all of that!”
Wait, Chris and Max just finished Coldplay’s new album. Have you been in the studio working on it?
(Speaking of Coyly) I don’t know. I don’t know!
Why do you think people like Chris and Rihanna are drawn to your music?
I am of course very talented (laughs), but I want to make positive music that makes people feel good.
And I’m a perfectionist, so I work on a song for months.
I heard you made 15 versions of your new single “Commas” before you were satisfied.
What has changed between the first and the 15th?
The first one was great and sounded really good, but until the 15th version something was wrong.
I felt like I was transcending when I had this mix. I added a particular guitar chord at the end that is like a little gift for the listener. It just feels very euphoric.
You described the song as a love letter to the people who rejected you. Who were these people?
It’s less about the people who rejected me and more of a love letter to myself. I remind myself that I am a little girl who is also strong.
People who think I’m not smart or intelligent because I’m pretty should just take a look!
Image source, Mikey Oshai
Woman Commando features Brazilian superstar Anitta and US singer Coco Jones. How did you convince them to take part?
I had Woman Commando for months before I thought, “You know what, I need two strong women for this.”
I wanted it to feel like Destiny’s Child – a girl banger, a girl anthem.
I sent the song to Coco Jones and she sent me a verse back that was so beautiful that I really wanted to do the vocals again. Anitta’s verse came later and was also perfect.
You end the album with The Kids Are All Right, a tribute to your late father. That must have been very emotional to write.
It was very, very important to me.
I was lying in bed at my mom’s house. I heard my niece crying in one room and my brothers playing video games in another room. I felt very emotional and very vulnerable.
I started writing this song in freestyle, a love letter to my father, and the first line was: “I hope no clouds block your view“. It was a very cheeky remark, but he had a great sense of humor. I think he would laugh about it.
And then I had my family send me voice messages updating Dad on their lives, and suddenly the song was done. Everyone in the studio was crying. I’m very proud of it.
Image source, Getty Images
Her first album is called 19 And Dangerous. The new one is called The Year I’m Turning 21. There’s another artist – you may have heard of her – whose first two albums are called 19 and 21.
That’s it… So are you planning a similar career path?
Probably! Because I love Adele and she inspired me. Will I be as successful? Maybe, maybe not. But why not?
You need to build muscle if you want to win all those Grammy Awards…
I’m ready! I’ve been training, so I can definitely lift a few.
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