Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe (born 14 June 2002) is a Nigerian singer known professionally as Ayra Starr. Ayra Starr, who was born in Cotonou, Benin, began her fashion career at the age of 16 with Quove Model Management before deciding to pursue music.

Ayra Starr: Education

Ayra graduated from Les Cours Sonou University with a BA in international relations and political science. Because of her age and appearance, she was frequently bullied by her classmates during her college years. Ayra Starr turned to music to cope with the feelings she was experiencing as a result of the taunting.

Ayra Starr Rise to Fame

She posted her first original song on her Instagram page in December 2019 after covering several songs by popular artists. This drew the attention of record executive Don Jazzy, who signed her to Mavin Records.

Ayra Starr’s Career

Ayra Starr gained mainstream recognition in early 2021 with her eponymous debut extended play and its hit single “Away,” which spent two weeks at number four on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 and went to number 17 on US Billboard Top Triller Global, paving the way for the release of her first full-length studio album, 19 & Dangerous, in August 2021. The album, which is primarily classified as Afropop and R&B, has received positive critical acclaim. In Nigeria, it spawned two top forty hits. The lead single, “Bloody Samaritan,” peaked at number one on the Top 50 chart, making it the first solo song by a female artist to do so. Starr debuted on Pandora’s Predictions chart, and on August 28, 2021, she was ranked second on Billboard’s Next Big Sound.

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Ayra Starr’s Achievements

Ayra Starr performed at the season finale of Nigerian Idol on July, 2021. Her debut studio album, titled 19 & Dangerous, was released on August 6, 2021. She collaborated on the album with previous collaborators Louddaaa and Don Jazzy, both of whom contributed production to her EP Ayra Starr, as well as new collaborators London and Andre Vibez. It was her first time working with guest artists like Fousheé and Ckay on an album.

Ayra’s single, “Bloody Samaritan,” became Starr’s first number-one single on the charts. The song climbed the Top 50 for several weeks before reaching number one on the chart dated September 27, 2021, making Ayra Starr the first female artist to do so with a solo single.