Ayra Starr Credits Culture, Tradition & Icons Like Rihanna & Beyoncé as Core Influences
NEW YORK, NY – Rising Afrobeats star Ayra Starr revealed the diverse influences shaping her genre-bending artistry following her standout performance at HOT 97’s 2025 Summer Jam. The Nigerian singer, one of three African headliners at the event alongside Diamond platnumz and Asake, opened her set with her 2021 hit ”Fashion Killer” and performed fan favorites including “Sability,” “Rush,” and “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid. A surprise remix of “Goodbye (Warm Up)” incorporating the instrumental from DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts” energized the crowd.
In a post-performance interview with REVOLT, Starr discussed her creative process, emphasizing the importance of her heritage alongside global music icons. “I just lean into, like, my core, my tradition, my morals, my culture, Rihanna, Beyoncé, everybody else that inspires me. My mom, God,” she explained.
Starr, who has claimed the title of “sabi girl” – a nigerian Pidgin term signifying confidence and self-assuredness – acknowledged that even with her rising success, she is still on a journey of self-discovery.”One thing people don’t know that I’m still figuring out is life, I guess. I’m still figuring out life. Like everybody else, I’m still figuring out life,” she shared.
The artist’s admiration for Rihanna is well-documented, having met the singer at a fenty event in London in April 2024 and later joining her at the Crop Over Festival in Barbados just months later. “Great. I still talk about it every day,” Starr said, reflecting on the encounters.
As she continues to gain international recognition, Starr is committed to showcasing Afrobeats on a global scale. “Afrobeats is going to the world. I mean, Afrobeats is already big. You know? It’s just gonna go bigger and bigger and bigger. and I’m happy that I’m able to do that,” she stated, adding, “Even though I excel at a lot of other genres, I’m happy that I get to be one of the front-facing artists for afrobeats and able to push my culture around the world.”
