She represents the young Nigerian generation, as much in her lyrics as in her musical influences, and has released her first video for “Away” to mark the release of her first EP Ayra Starr.
The new Mavin Records recruit offers a spectacular debut through this song for lonely souls, oscillating easily between her various musical influences: afro-pop, alternative R&B and trap. On the five tracks that comprise this first opus, Ayra’s neo-soul voice reveals a whole range of emotions, from the sadness of a break-up to the joy of a new beginning.
Her first single, “Away,” is an uplifting track that redefines the traditional pattern of a break-up song: channeling Ayra’s pain and experience, which become her strengths when facing the future. She explains: “I freestyled half of ‘Away’ at a time I was feeling down. It was like therapy. Singing the song out loud was like freeing myself from my burden. ‘Away’ is not just a heartbreak song, it’s a song that empowers you to stand up to that thing or person that is causing you sadness.”
Growing up between Lagos and Cotonou to the sound of 2Face, Angélique Kidjo, Shakira, Tope Alabi, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Sia, Starr embodies the Z generation who can both appreciate the sounds of Burna Boy and Sarz, while binging British series like Peaky Blinders and South Korean dramas like Crash Landing On You. This kaleidoscope of influences affirms Ayra’s global approach to music, and at just 18 years of age she is looking forward to a multi-faceted international career. Her futuristic new music video already presents her as a heroine.
The EP is available on all streaming platforms via Mavin Records.
Listen to Ayra Starr in our Songs of the Week playlist on Spotify and Deezer.
