Ayra Starr, the Nigerian musician who catapulted to international fame at just 19, has been living life on fast-forward. In her recent cover interview with *Dazed Magazine*, Starr reflects on the whirlwind that has been her career, detailing how she reached the heights of global stardom while simultaneously grappling with the challenges of youth and personal growth. Now 22, Ayra Starr opens up about her second album, “The Year I Turned 21”, a soul-searching and sun-kissed project that symbolizes a new chapter in her life.
Despite her meteoric rise, Ayra Starr’s journey to success came with its sacrifices. From headlining a world tour and earning a Grammy nomination to performing on Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage, Starr has experienced achievements many only dream of. Yet, behind the glitz, she reveals the weight of responsibility she carried throughout her teenage years. “I’ve always been an adult,” Starr tells *Dazed*, sharing how she spent her youth caring for her siblings and working. It was only at the age of 21, during a much-needed holiday in Barbados, that she allowed herself to fully soak in her accomplishments and reflect on her journey.
That trip marked a significant turning point in her creative process. Up until that moment, Starr had never written about her own life in her music. Instead, she drew inspiration from the world around her—observing people, listening to stories, and translating them into hits. Her debut album, “19 & Dangerous”, was a testament to this formula, propelling her into stardom with tracks like “Bloody Samaritan.” However, as she prepared to create her second album, she faced a creative block.
In the “Dazed” interview, Starr admits that while she could tell other people’s stories with ease, writing about her own life proved far more difficult. “I realised that I couldn’t write about myself,” she says. The vulnerability required to turn the lens inward was daunting, but it became essential for her growth as an artist. “It takes a lot of vulnerability to write about yourself.”
The breakthrough came in the form of a gift— a song called “21,” written by her friend and fellow artist Leon Thomas III. Starr recalls the emotional moment when she first heard it: “I remember crying when I heard it. I recorded it, changed parts and made it my own.” That track became the catalyst for the rest of her album, helping her shape “The Year I Turned 21” into a personal reflection of who she was becoming.
Another turning point in the creation of her album came during a conversation with Coldplay’s Chris Martin. He gave her a book by 13th-century Persian poet Rumi and encouraged her to focus on the theme of her album. This advice, paired with a diagram he sketched for her, allowed Starr to organize her thoughts and execute her vision with clarity. “The way he explained it was so beautiful,” she reflects.
The result is an album that encapsulates both her musical evolution and her personal growth. With features from Asake, Coco Jones, and Rauw Alejandro, *The Year I Turned 21* has already amassed over 500 million streams on Spotify. More than just a commercial success, the album marks a pivotal moment of self-understanding for Starr. “Twenty-one is when I started to live more for myself and understand myself more.”
Ayra Starr’s rise has been nothing short of cosmic, and she has embraced this celestial energy. Her moniker, “Celestial Being,” symbolizes the otherworldly confidence she exudes on stage. However, she reveals in the interview that she is still on a journey of fully understanding what the name means for her. “I have so many meanings for it, but I don’t think I’m ready to share them until I’m sure.”
Despite her success, Starr remains grounded, speaking candidly about love and relationships—or the lack thereof. She laughs about her viral moments, picking men from the crowd to serenade during performances, but admits she has yet to experience love herself. “I’ve never been in a fully committed relationship,” she says, describing herself as a “lover girl” at heart who has simply been too busy working to dive into romance.
Ayra Starr’s story is one of strength, independence, and resilience. Born in Cotonou, Benin, and raised in Nigeria, she has lived between different cities, constantly moving and adapting. This nomadic upbringing, paired with the strong influence of the women in her life, has shaped her into the determined artist she is today. Now, with her second album out and more experiences under her belt, Starr is ready to continue her ascent.
In her Dazed interview, Ayra Starr proves that her music is more than just catchy beats and captivating lyrics—it’s a reflection of her soul. With *The Year I Turned 21*, Starr invites listeners into her world, revealing the vulnerability, strength, and ambition that have made her one of Africa’s brightest stars. As she continues to navigate her path in music, one thing is clear: Ayra Starr is just getting started.
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