Nigerian sensation Ayra Starr shared her thoughts on Afrobeats’ global appeal and her upcoming second album in an interview with ELLE Magazine. With Afrobeats gaining mainstream popularity, Ayra Starr emphasized the importance of artists sticking together to maintain the genre’s originality. She believes that as long as Afrobeats artists continue to propel the music, the genre will thrive, despite international collaborations and growing popularity.
“It’s not fair at all. People want to put negativity on Afrobeats because it has become so mainstream. The generations of African artists who worked to this extent for people like me to be able to be global with this sound worked for this. The genre’s not being diluted, it’s becoming mainstream. People are going to want to try things and do their own versions of things. The key is that when we stick together as Afrobeats artists and continue with our sound; it can never be diluted. Nobody is ever going to be able to do it like us. That’s just the truth and it’s a beautiful thing to see and lovely to hear,” Ayra Starr tells Tariro Mzezewa of ELLE Magazine.
Ayra Starr credits her unique voice and willingness to experiment with different sounds for her distinctive Afrobeats style. She’s proud to be an Afrobeats artist but also explores other genres, ensuring her voice remains consistent and recognizable. “It’s my voice. I’ve opened myself up to so many possibilities when it comes to sound because I don’t like to hold myself in a box. I’m a very proud Afrobeats artist, but I am in different spaces and different genres, from the Spanish world to David Guetta dance music, one thing that has been very consistent in every aspect is my voice. It isn’t just a voice, it’s my sound and it’s distinctive from the first ‘yeah, yeah’ you hear in my songs. Just that and people feel good. I don’t want to be bragging!”
Ayra Starr’s second album, ‘The Year I Turned 21’, promises a rollercoaster of emotions, masterfully blending different genres. Listeners can expect a positive, euphoric experience with guest appearances from Asake, Seyi Vibez, Giveon, Coco Jones, Aniita, and her brother Milar. “A roller coaster of emotion, but in a way that is masterful and euphoric. Don’t expect any one thing. Instead, expect different genres intertwined into one. Expect to have a great time, to walk away with a positive feeling. Expect greatness.” With her album set to release on May 31, 2024, Ayra Starr is ready to share her music with the world, solidifying her position as a leading Afrobeats artist.
