Afrobeat star, Ayra Starr has opened up about her swift signing to Mavin Records under the mentorship of Don Jazzy, revealing that it took merely three days to secure the deal.
The Commas crooner disclosed how her journey to the music industry began with doing cover songs on social media, which ultimately led to catching the attention of the record label boss, Don Jazzy.
Ayra Starr shared that her transition from modeling to music was catalyzed by her mother's encouragement to pursue her passion for singing. Despite facing skepticism due to her height in modeling, Ayra Starr's determination to prove herself paid off as she shifted her focus to music, a decision that ultimately led to her current success.
In her words, “I wanted to do modeling because everyone told me I couldn’t do it like I’m not tall enough, and I told them, “Watch me.” And I ended up doing it. When I look back, I’m so proud of little Ayra, too. It’s because of her that I’m here now. It’s because of that 16-year-old girl who didn’t give up and kept going. I used to do cover [songs] on Instagram. My mum and her friends used to force me to do covers."
"I uploaded one cover on Instagram, I didn’t even like the video. But something just kept telling me to post it and I did. Not up to 6 hours later, Don Jazzy reached out. Three days later, he signed me,” she said.
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Reflecting on her journey, Ayra Starr emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself and prioritizing personal expression over external opinions. She highlighted her independence as an artist, emphasizing her desire for her music and style to reflect her true feelings rather than conforming to societal expectations.
“I’m an artiste to the core, and I want my style, my hair, my music, to represent how I feel. I don’t care about aesthetics, it’s more about how I feel. I’m not bothered about the male, or female gaze, or anybody’s gaze for that matter, except my own," she said.
"I’ve always had a mind of my own. Growing up in different places, in different cultures, has shaped my mind. And despite all these influences, I’m still myself. I wrote Asé when I was 15 — I had no business writing that song. So that gives you a glimpse of the kind of mindset I had at a young age,” she added.
With a strong sense of self and a diverse cultural background, Ayra Starr expressed her authenticity through her music, citing her song "Asé," written at the age of 15, as a testament to her unique mindset and artistic vision from a young age.
