Tag: Ayra Starr

  • Ayra Starr to perform at CANEX WKND concert in Algeria

    Ayra Starr to perform at CANEX WKND concert in Algeria

    Afrobeat singer, Ayra Starr, and South African artist DJ, Maphorisa, are billed to perform at the 2024 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) concert.

    The event will take place from October 16 to 19, 2024 in Algiers, Algeria.

    The concert is aimed at celebrating Africa’s creative and cultural industries.

    Read Also: Burna Boy, Tems, Ayra Starr lose at VMAS as Tyla wins best Afrobeats award

    The concert will also feature a lineup of other artists, including Kenya’s Sofiya Nzau and Tinariwen, a Tuareg band from Algeria’s Sahara region.

    South Africa’s Kabza De Small will join DJ Maphorisa in bringing the Amapiano sound to the stage.

  • Burna Boy, Tems, Ayra Starr lose at VMAS as Tyla wins best Afrobeats award

    Burna Boy, Tems, Ayra Starr lose at VMAS as Tyla wins best Afrobeats award

    South African singer Tyla triumphed in the Best Afrobeats category at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, which took place at the UBS Arena in Queens, New York.

    Tyla’s hit song “Water” earned her the accolade, beating notable Nigerian artists such as Burna Boy, Tems, Wizkid, Lojay, and Ayra Starr. Tyla celebrated her victory as “a big moment for Africa,” following Rema’s win in the same category last year.

    The night was dominated by Taylor Swift with seven awards, while Eminem achieved the most solo male artist wins.

    Read Also: Five ways to enhance eye health

    Here is the full list of winners:

    VIDEO OF THE YEAR

    Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”

    Billie Eilish – “Lunch”

    Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”

    Eminem – “Houdini”

    SZA – “Snooze”

    Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” *WINNER

    ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    Ariana Grande

    Bad Bunny

    Eminem

    Sabrina Carpenter

    SZA

    Taylor Swift *WINNER

    SONG OF THE YEAR

    Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em”

    Jack Harlow – “Lovin On Me”

    Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”

    Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” *WINNER

    Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight”

    Teddy Swims – “Lose Control”

    BEST NEW ARTIST

    Benson Boone

    Chappell Roan *WINNER

    Gracie Abrams

    Shaboozey

    Teddy Swims

    Tyla

    BEST COLLABORATION

    Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “

    GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be”

    Jessie Murph ft. Jelly Roll – “Wild Ones”

    Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”

    Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help”

    Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” *WINNER

    BEST POP

    Camila Cabello

    Dua Lipa

    Olivia Rodrigo

    Sabrina Carpenter

    Tate McRae

    Taylor Swift *WINNER

    BEST HIP-HOP

    Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – “Rich Baby Daddy “

    Eminem – “Houdini” *WINNER

    GloRilla – “Yeah Glo!”

    Gunna – “Fukumean”

    Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA”

    Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti – “FE!N”

    BEST R&B

    Alicia Keys – “Lifeline”

    Muni Long – “Made For Me”

    SZA – “Snooze” *WINNER

    Tyla – “Water”

    Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good” –

    Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”

    BEST ALTERNATIVE

    Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” *WINNER

    Bleachers – “Tiny Moves”

    Hozier – “Too Sweet”

    Imagine Dragons – “Eyes Closed”

    Linkin Park – “Friendly Fire”

    Teddy Swims – “Lose Control (Live)”

    BEST ROCK

    Bon Jovi – “Legendary”

    Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove”

    Green Day – “Dilemma”

    Kings of Leon – “Mustang”

    Lenny Kravitz – “Human” *WINNER

    U2 – “Atomic City”

    BEST LATIN

    Anitta – “Mil Veces” *WINNER

    Bad Bunny – “Monaco”

    Karol G – “Mi Ex Tenia Razon”

    Myke Towers – “Lala”

    Peso Pluma & Anitta – “Bellakeo”

    Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky”

    Shakira & Cardi B – “Puntería”

    BEST AFROBEATS

    Ayra Starr ft. Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song”

    Burna Boy – “City Boys”

    Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational”

    Tems – “Love Me JeJe”

    Tyla – “Water” *WINNER

    Usher, Pheelz – “Ruin”

    BEST K-POP

    Jung Kook ft. Latto – “Seven”

    Lisa – “Rockstar” *WINNER

    NCT Dream – “Smoothie”

    NewJeans – “Super Shy”

    Stray Kids – “Lalalala”

    Tomorrow X Together – “Deja vu”

    VIDEO FOR GOOD

    Alexander Stewart – “If You Only Knew”

    Billie Eilish – “What Was I Made For (From the Motion Picture “Barbie”)” *WINNER

    Coldplay – “Feelslikeimfallinginlove”

    Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll – “Best for Me”

    Raye – “Genesis”

    Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”

    BEST DIRECTION

    Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Directed by Christian Breslauer

    Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Directed by Alex Lockett & Margaret Qualley

    Eminem – “Houdini” – Directed by Rich Lee

    Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Directed by Daniel Iglesias Jr.

    Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Directed by Bardia Zeinali

    Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Directed by Taylor Swift *WINNER

    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

    Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Cinematography by Anatol Trofimov *WINNER

    Charli XCX – “Von Dutch” – Cinematography by Jeff Bierman

    Dua Lipa – “Illusion” – Cinematography by Nikita Kuzmenko

    Olivia Rodrigo – “Obsessed” – Cinematography by Marz Miller

    Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Cinematography by Camilo Monsalve

    Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto

    BEST EDITING

    Anitta – “Mil Veces” – Editing by Nick Yumul

    Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Editing by Luis Caraza Peimbert

    Eminem – “Houdini” – Editing by David Checel

    Lisa – “Rockstar” – Editing by Nik Kohler

    Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – Editing by Jai Shukla

    Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Editing by Chancler Haynes *WINNER

    BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

    Bleachers – “Tiny Moves” – Choreography by Margaret Qualley

    Dua Lipa – “Houdini” – Choreography by Charm La’Donna *WINNER

    Lisa – “Rockstar” – Choreography by Sean Bankhead

    Rauw Alejandro – “Touching the Sky” – Choreography by Felix ‘Fefe’ Burgos

    Tate McRae – “Greedy” – Choreography by Sean Bankhead

    Troye Sivan – “Rush” – Choreography by Sergio Reis, Mauro Van De Kerkhof

    BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

    Ariana Grande – “The Boy is Mine” – Visual Effects by Digital Axis

    Eminem – “Houdini” – Visual Effects by Synapse Virtual Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post *WINNER

    Justin Timberlake – “Selfish” – Visual Effects by Candice Dragonas

    Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Visual Effects by Mathematic

    Olivia Rodrigo – “Get Him Back!” – Visual Effects by Cooper Vacheron, Preston Mohr, Karen Arakelian, Justin Johnson

    Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Visual Effects by Parliament

    BEST ART DIRECTION

    Charli XCX – “360” – Art Direction by Grace Surnow

    Lisa – “Rockstar” – Art Direction by Pongsan Thawatwichian

    Megan Thee Stallion – “BOA” – Art Direction by Brittany Porter *WINNER

    Olivia Rodrigo – “Bad Idea Right?” – Art Direction by Nicholas des Jardins

    Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Art Direction by Nicholas des Jardins

    Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Art Direction by Ethan Tobman

  • Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr to star in Jade Osiberu’s “Christmas in Lagos”

    Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr to star in Jade Osiberu’s “Christmas in Lagos”

    Filmmaker, Jade Osiberu, has announced her latest project, “Christmas in Lagos”, a film set to premiere on Prime Video in December 2024.

    The movie boasts an impressive cast, including Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, Shaffy Bello, and Richard Mofe Damijo.

    In a teaser video shared on Instagram, Osiberu hinted at the film’s “beautiful” and “heartwarming” story, without revealing too much.

    Read Also: What you need to know about FG’s ban on under-18 WAEC, NECO candidates

    This will be Ayra Starr’s debut film role, and she will be joined by other prominent Afrobeat stars in cameo appearances.

    Osiberu expressed her excitement about working with admired actors and musicians, promising a special treat for audiences this holiday season.

    “If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that when Jade is quiet, she’s cooking up something special. I might not dance, but I can definitely make films”, she said.

  • I consider Ayra Starr my sister not an industry friend – Darkoo

    I consider Ayra Starr my sister not an industry friend – Darkoo

    Singer Darkoo has spoken on sisterly bond with Ayra Starr. 

    In a recent appearance on the Uncut Podcast, Darkoo shared that she doesn’t pursue friendships within the industry but has found a genuine connection with Ayra Starr.

    “I have some friends in the industry, I don’t think I’m looking for friends in the industry just friends in general. I feel like I was able to find that in Ayra Starr, I don’t even see her as an industry friend; I see her as my sister,” she said.

    Darkoo attributed their strong friendship to their similarities and mutual respect. 

    She praised Ayra Starr’s respectful nature and the valuable lessons they learn from each other.

    Read Also: Ayra Starr spotted with Rihanna at Barbados’ crop over festival

    She explained: “I feel like why we merge so well is because we’re very alike but what I really love her is that she’s so respectful. You can just tell that she is a proper Naija girl, by the way she looks at life. She also teaches me a lot of stuff; we teach each other stuff and I love that type of relationship.”

    While Darkoo maintains a friendly demeanor with many industry colleagues, she draws a clear line between casual acquaintances and deeper friendships. 

    “In terms of going out and seeing people, I won’t say that they’re my ‘friends’ and we talk all the time. I’m a very friendly person, so it’s easy to make those friendships but it doesn’t go further than just seeing each other and DMing each other. I feel like the distance is fine because see finish is a real thing, when you get too close and too comfortable with people they start to disrespect you,” she added.

  • Ayra Starr spotted with Rihanna at Barbados’ crop over festival

    Ayra Starr spotted with Rihanna at Barbados’ crop over festival

    Singer Ayra Starr and global superstar Rihanna were spotted together at the Crop Over festival in Barbados.

    The festival celebrates Barbadian music, arts, culture, and food and features a grand carnival parade known as ‘Kadooment Day’.

    In a viral video, the duo wore matching bodysuits and extravagant headpieces with oversized wings, showcasing their stylish chemistry.

    Read Also: Being my biggest critic brought me far, says Ayra Starr

    This encounter follows Rihanna’s expressed interest in collaborating with Ayra Starr after their meeting in London at the Fenty X Puma party in April 2024.

    The potential collaboration between these two talented artists has generated buzz, and their appearance together at the Crop Over Festival has only added to the anticipation.

  • Being my biggest critic brought me far, says Ayra Starr

    Being my biggest critic brought me far, says Ayra Starr

    Singer and songwriter Ayra Starr has attributed her success to relentless self-criticism and dedication to improvement.

    In her Amazon Music documentary, “Dare to Dream,” she shared how being her harshest critic has driven her career growth and current success.

    She said: “I’m here today; I’m coping and I’m doing well but I feel like being my biggest critic has been what has brought me here so far; that’s what has made me who I am right now.”

    Starr reflected on her early performances, emphasising self-critical nature, stating that she watches old videos, identifies areas for improvement, and works on sharpening her choreography and stage production.

    “Looking back at my first performance, I can laugh Vs where I am right now. It’s always like I can become way better. I always watch my old videos and I’m writing things I can do better and how I can sharpen my choreography. Definitely sharpen my choreography, a bigger stage production,” she said.

    The Grammy-nominated artist also spoke about her dedication to her craft, revealing that she has studied stage production to ensure she delivers high-quality performances.

    She also believes that putting pressure on herself has been crucial to her success, and she is willing to continue doing so to achieve her goals.

    Read Also: Focus on personal growth, not others’ opinions – Ayra Starr

    “I know I can sing and dance at the same time and that is easy for me but I make sure I have enough time to rehearse. I know what I want and I know certain things, like lights. I’m literally a stage producer at this point. I’ve studied it.

    Starr concluded: “You just have to be strong and putting that pressure on myself has definitely brought me here, and I’m cool with that as long as I get what I want.”

  • Focus on personal growth, not others’ opinions – Ayra Starr

    Focus on personal growth, not others’ opinions – Ayra Starr

    Afrobeat singer Ayra Starr has stressed on the importance of prioritising personal growth and confidence over others’ opinions. 

    In an interview with ‘Dose of Society’, she encouraged individuals to focus on themselves and not waste time worrying about what others think.

    Ayra Starr shared her own experience, learning that people’s perceptions hold less significance than she initially believed. 

    What matters way less than you thought it would?” the interviewer asked.

    Ayra Starr replied: “What matters less? I feel like it’s opinions and people’s perceptions of you. Trust me, people are living their lives; everybody is busy and people are hungry. Stop caring about what people think about you; people are hungry, people are tired and life is hard.”

    Read Also: Troops kill two sit-at-home enforcers in Abia

    She stressed that everyone is busy with their own lives, struggling with their own challenges, and advised against investing time and energy into seeking validation from others.

    “Just do you; sometimes you are there wondering, ‘What does this person think about me?’ and they’re just there, wondering, ‘What’s going to happen today? Am I going to make it home?’. There is a lot happening in the world and if you spend your time thinking about what people think about you, you’re just going to waste time,” she added.

    She urged people to concentrate on self-improvement, self-confidence, and self-love.

    “Do you. Find yourself, be confident in yourself, and don’t care about the outcome; just do. Don’t be afraid to fail; fail as much as you want to, but when you get it right, you’re going to be so proud of yourself.

    “Be confident, be proud of yourself; you’re doing amazing. It’s hard but you’re doing amazing. Never get tired of trying; keep trying till you get it right. Don’t be afraid to fail and, oh, love yourself,” she said.

  • Ayra Starr unveils limited edition dolls

    Ayra Starr unveils limited edition dolls

    Grammy-nominated singer Ayra Starr has announced the upcoming release of her limited edition dolls.

    The dolls will be available in selected locations, including Lagos, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

    In a statement on Instagram, Ayra Starr expressed her excitement about the project, saying “I’m so excited to announce the release of the limited edition Ayra Starr Dolls!

    Read Also: Nigeria leads African oil production with 1.61mbpd

    She wrote: “The dolls are coming to: Lagos, the US, the UK and France.

    “Stay tuned for more details on how you can enter and win. I can’t wait for you to see them and share the joy!”

    While a specific release date has not been announced, Starr promised to share more details on how fans can enter to win one of the exclusive dolls.

  • Ayra Starr makes US TV Debut on ‘The Tonight Show’

    Ayra Starr makes US TV Debut on ‘The Tonight Show’

    Grammy nominee, Ayra Starr, has thrilled audiences with her US TV debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

    She performed songs from her sophomore album, “The Year I Turned 21”, including “Last Heartbreak Song” featuring Giveon and “Woman Commando” with Anitta and Coco Jones.

    Read Also: Ayra Starr tags Rema ‘GOAT’, closest colleague

    With this appearance, Ayra Starr on Tuesday, July 23, joined an elite group of Nigerian artists who have performed on the iconic show, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, Fireboy, and Asake.

  • Tems most likely not to pick my calls – Ayra Starr

    Tems most likely not to pick my calls – Ayra Starr

    Afrobeat singer Ayra Starr shared a humorous and relatable moment about her friendship with fellow artist Tems.

    During an interview, Ayra revealed that Tems rarely answers her calls when dared to FaceTime a celebrity friend.

    Read Also: Ayra Starr, Tems emerge most streamed Nigerian artists on Spotify

    However, Ayra turned to British-Nigerian rapper Darkoo, who promptly picked up despite being in bed.

    The two shared a laugh and a heartwarming moment.

    Ayra’s candid admission sparked a lighthearted conversation about the quirks of celebrity friendships, leaving fans entertained and appreciative of her authenticity.