In this episode of Hot 93.7, Buck N Regg catches up with the Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Ayra Starr, who has officially planted her flag in New York City, a move she made less than two months ago but had been contemplating for years. The 23-year-old artist, who has been making waves internationally, says the city reminds her of Lagos with its hustle, energy, and large African diaspora community.
The decision to relocate became clearer during her performance at the Global Citizens Award show, where the backdrop of the New York City skyline sealed the deal. Standing on stage and looking out at the crowd with the city behind her, Starr realized she could see herself calling the Big Apple home.
Despite her youth, Starr has already collaborated with major artists including Coco Jones, Tori Kelly, Kelly Rowland, and Coldplay. Her versatility across genres hasn’t happened by accident. While Afrobeats will always be her foundation and cultural identity, she aims to transcend genre boundaries and become a household name worldwide. The move to New York is part of that strategy, allowing her to broaden her sound while carrying her Nigerian culture and history with her.
Performing back home in Nigeria remains her favorite experience. While international audiences love the melodies and rhythms of Afrobeats, Nigerian crowds understand every word she sings in Pidgin and Yoruba. The emotional weight of those lyrics, which she describes as manifestation-heavy prayers and high-vibrational messages, resonates deeply with home audiences who sometimes sing entire songs back to her.
Starr’s latest single, Who’s That Girl, serves as her confident introduction to the world, but her journey has been far from overnight success. She’s been working relentlessly since age 18, and now at 23, she’s clear that she’s just getting started. Her ambitions extend beyond music into film, with a movie featuring Idris Elba, Viola Davis, and others set for release in 2027.
The artist refuses to put pressure on herself about a full album timeline. She’s currently focused on experiencing life in New York and making music organically. Her dream collaborations include Rihanna, Wizkid, and Rema, with Kanye West topping her list as a current favorite artist.
As for misconceptions about Nigerian artists, Starr brushes them aside, noting that in 2025, ignorance is intentional and she won’t give it any attention. She’s confident that Afrobeats hasn’t reached its peak yet and believes the genre will continue growing into one of the world’s dominant musical forces.
Now settling into her New York apartment with minimal furniture but a full kitchen and piano, Starr is ready for the next chapter. She loves cooking traditional Nigerian dishes like rice and stew, and she’s not planning to behave herself in her new city. After all, as she puts it, good girls seldom make history.
