The new crop of African talent has been blessing the industry with a range of different Queen vocalists. The likes of Tems, Lady Donli, and Asi are holding down the bridge between R&B/Soul layering traditional genres with their experimental and dynamic styles. Following this trend, we are seeing more breakout female acts, and coming from the heart of Nigeria is Mavin’s latest prospect; Ayra Starr.
A native of Edo state, the 18-year-old Afro-pop singer started off uploading cover videos of herself singing on her Instagram, before getting recognition from Mavin’s CEO Don Jazzy, who eventually signed her to his label. Now, under one of the finest music houses in Africa, the singer’s skills have been elevated and refreshed via Don Jazzy’s guiding hands.
13 minutes is all it takes to fully familiarise yourself with Ayra’s self-titled debut EP. On a five-song project, the emerging singer’s swooning voice is the clear focus. So much so that her rich vocals have often been compared to Tems herself. Despite comparisons, Ayra Starr maintains her own edge. Perhaps this lies in her more Teenage Fever-inspired type of writing and this is evident on her lead single and currently the no.1 song in Nigeria, “Away”. An ode to high school heartbreaks, a quest for serenity, and a big F U to lame dudes that take her passion for granted. On “Ija”, the singer slips in and out of falsetto with enviable grace, uniformly staying in line with smooth guitar strings that are accompanied by drums, making a beautifully balanced song in the process.
Another unique element that sets Starr’s project apart is in the production detail. Small but centered, it runs through 4 producers (Loudaa, Don Jazzy, Dayogrey & Johnny Drille) with writing credits going to her brother, Milar. Ayra comes off as a family-oriented person if there was any reason to love her more. Yet on “Ditr” the singer shares some vulnerability, recounting an emotional piece about a dysfunctional family filled with regrets and a tense mother-daughter bond over soft puttering beats and slinky bass lines. And with Ayra’s smooth voice channeling all the emotions, it’s the kind of song that gets you teary-eyed. “Sare” is peak crooning sponsored by a Don Jazzy beat. Starr makes good use of analog synthesizers supported by velvety grooves, making the song a feel-good record you could hear playing at any traditional wedding!
“Memories” is my personal second favorite, a soulful song that carries trademarks of Afrobeats. The Afro-pop song boasts of quality mixing so precise you can hear the piano and drums creak and rattle. This precision is heightened by Ayra’s irresistibly fresh voice completing this lovestruck ballad, the kind that accompanies shots of Polaroid pictures of your lover and unforgettable dates.
Overall, what makes this project a unique one is Ayra’s ability to make dark, sad, and heartfelt songs in a way that doesn’t evoke total darkness but serves as clarity and a reminder to move on after everything and settle for tranquility.
Listen to Ayra Starr here.
